Following Google’s pioneering initiative in signing the first corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) for solar power in Taiwan back in 2019, the company has been tirelessly working towards accelerating the development of clean energy. This endeavor aims to meet the electricity demands of Google’s local data centers and offices, thereby promoting sustainability.

In a significant development, Google is now announcing the signing of the first corporate PPAs for geothermal energy in Taiwan, marking its first foray into the region. The initial projects, developed by the renowned global geothermal developer Baseload Capital, are set to add 10 megawatts (MW) of consistent power to the grid. This move is expected to catalyze Taiwan’s geothermal market, building upon Google’s recent partnership aimed at supporting a 1 gigawatt (GW) pipeline of solar development in Taiwan. These geothermal PPAs underscore Google’s commitment to advancing a comprehensive suite of energy solutions. The goal is to support local data centers and operations with clean electricity while paving the way for scaling geothermal development across the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

T!ackling Local Challenges to 24/7 Clean Energy

Geothermal energy, which harnesses underground heat to generate clean electricity, is a consistent and reliable “around-the-clock” energy source. This makes it particularly promising for locations like Taiwan, which boasts significant geothermal resources due to its unique geological position along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The substantial geothermal resources in Taiwan can provide stable and reliable baseload power, complementing variable renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind.

The long-term partnership between Google and Baseload Capital, which includes an equity investment in the company, signifies a crucial step forward in accelerating the deployment of geothermal energy as a 24/7 clean energy technology across Asia Pacific and globally. Google is working diligently to develop and commercialize the next generation of geothermal technologies through its enhanced geothermal project with Fervo Energy. Additionally, the company is collaborating with Project Innerspace to uncover the global potential of geothermal energy using subsurface data. In the Asia-Pacific region, Google is also partnering to advance new research into geothermal energy development in Australia.

Catalyzing Untapped Geothermal Markets

Since 2019, Baseload Capital’s subsidiary, Baseload Power Taiwan, has been actively engaged in local geothermal resource exploration. The company has been working closely with local communities and collaborating with the Taiwan government to enhance the regulatory and permitting framework for geothermal energy. Google’s support for these geothermal projects is expected to contribute to building the local workforce and expertise, supply chain, and infrastructure. This, in turn, will help unlock lower costs and facilitate faster deployment of future projects.

These projects will also play a role in helping Taiwan achieve its goal of installing 6 GW of geothermal capacity by 2050. Building on Google’s long-standing collaboration with the government and utilities in Taiwan to promote local renewable growth, Google will continue to work across these sectors. The focus will be on the market development and innovation needed to scale geothermal resources.

There is also excitement about the potential to replicate these initial projects in markets across the Asia-Pacific region, such as Japan and Indonesia, as well as other global locations where Google has electricity demand. This partnership marks an important milestone in Google’s clean energy journey and its efforts to bring the benefits of reliable, clean power to every region where it operates.