Digital Realty Expands Clean Energy in Illinois Data Centres
Digital Realty, a global provider of cloud and carrier-neutral data centres, has announced an expansion of its renewable energy commitments in Illinois.
The company has confirmed additional contracts with Soltage, a US-based Independent Power Producer, to deliver a larger portfolio of local community solar projects across the state with a combined expected capacity of 33.5MWdc.
From this portfolio, Digital Realty secures 13.4MWdc of locally sourced solar energy that will feed directly into Illinois power grids and provide benefits to surrounding communities.
The company frames this move as part of its broader strategy to integrate clean power into its data centre operations and to ensure surrounding communities benefit directly.
"We’re proud to deepen our investment in Illinois and advance our mission to be a responsible steward of the environment,” says Aaron Binkley, Vice President of Sustainability at Digital Realty. “By investing in community solar, we’re not only decarbonising our operations, but also supporting clean, reliable power for the communities and regions where we operate."
Expanding clean energy in Illinois
This announcement builds on Digital Realty’s first community solar agreement in Illinois, unveiled late last year. That earlier project set the foundation for the expansion and confirmed the potential of state-level initiatives to support local grids while offering clean power access to residents.
The extended agreement with Soltage sees a marked increase in capacity and scope, taking the total project pipeline in Illinois to 33.5MWdc.
Digital Realty’s allocated share of 13.4MWdc demonstrates how a major data centre operator can contribute directly to local renewable energy growth, rather than sourcing credits or power from distant regions.
Alongside environmental benefits, these solar projects are designed to create tangible economic value.
Estimates suggest that around 88 local jobs will be generated through the build-out and operation of the projects. Digital Realty emphasises the importance of balancing its operational sustainability goals with community development outcomes, reinforcing its role as both a technology provider and a local partner.
Data centre operations and renewable energy
Digital Realty already achieves full renewable matching for electricity used at its 11 data centres across Illinois. This matching covers both renewable and carbon-free sources, procured within the state and through broader national programmes.
The new projects specifically target Lake, Will and Stephenson counties, increasing the proportion of renewable power that is sourced and consumed within Illinois itself.
Globally, Digital Realty reports that 75% of the electricity used across its portfolio of more than 300 data centres is matched with renewable energy. This makes Illinois a showcase for the company’s integrated approach, combining global commitments with region-specific projects that provide measurable benefits to customers and communities.
Data centres are among the most power-intensive facilities in modern infrastructure, requiring continuous electricity for servers, cooling and connectivity.
Matching these energy needs with renewable sources has become a core priority for operators seeking to balance rising demand for digital services with sustainability obligations.
Digital Realty’s expansion of community solar demonstrates how large-scale facilities can operate in step with state-level renewable initiatives.
A global sustainability strategy
This development aligns with Digital Realty’s wider climate goals. The company has committed to a science-based target of reducing direct emissions from owned operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 68% and reducing emissions linked to its supply chain and customers (Scope 3) by 24% by 2030. These targets reflect the international Science Based Targets initiative, which provides corporate pathways for aligning with global climate objectives.
For Digital Realty, community solar projects contribute both to operational decarbonisation and to the wider decarbonisation of power systems. By expanding investments in Illinois, the company signals a model for how data centres can foster clean energy innovation locally while advancing towards global emissions reductions.
The company highlights the dual role of sustainability in data centre operations: ensuring its facilities run on clean, renewable power and creating positive outcomes in the places where those facilities exist.
With this announcement, Illinois communities gain expanded access to solar capacity, while Digital Realty advances closer to its 2030 climate targets.
At a time when demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, this balance of renewable energy expansion and community investment shows how data centres can integrate into local energy systems while continuing to meet global connectivity needs.
