Maximising Net Zero Power Solutions in Data Centres
Global Switch
Global Switch is scaling Net Zero Power Solutions by combining 100% renewable electricity commitments with aggressive efficiency targets across its premium colocation portfolio.
The company plans to run all its operations on renewable power by 2030, supported by new long-term contracts such as a recent wind energy deal with RWE for its London data centre. That flagship site has 224MVA of secured power and is being expanded to support higher-density GPU workloads, including a major CoreWeave deployment of NVIDIA H100 and H200 accelerators.
At the same time, Global Switch is targeting a power usage effectiveness of 1.2 at its European sites, underpinned by high-efficiency cooling and electrical systems and the introduction of liquid cooling pilots.
Its emissions reduction pathway was approved by the Science Based Targets initiative in 2025, reinforcing its role as a key colocation partner for customers seeking credible, standards-aligned decarbonisation.
Targets:
- Use 100% renewable electricity across all operations by 2030.
- Achieve a PUE of 1.2 at European data centres.
- Deliver SBTi-aligned emissions reductions in line with its approved 2025 targets.
Latest figures:
- Wind power deal signed with RWE for the London data centre.
- 224 MVA of secured power at the London campus.
- SBTi emissions reduction targets formally approved in 2025.
- London site selected by CoreWeave for large NVIDIA H100 and H200 deployment.
- European facilities targeting a PUE of 1.2 with liquid cooling trials.
“Global Switch plans to use 100% renewable energy across its operations by 2030”
Progress:
- Secured a major wind power contract for its London data centre.
- Locked in 224 MVA of power to support dense AI capacity.
- Earned SBTi approval for its emissions reduction targets in 2025.
- Showcased liquid cooling tests at its London facility.
- Positioned London as a strategic European hub for low-carbon GPU deployments.
Focus ahead:
- Expand renewable supply deals beyond the UK portfolio.
- Hit 100% renewable electricity by 2030 across all regions.
- Drive PUE towards 1.2 at more sites through advanced cooling.
- Support higher-density AI workloads without increasing carbon intensity.
- Scale liquid cooling and other efficiency technologies.
- Keep emissions reductions aligned with SBTi-approved pathways.
Digital Realty
Digital Realty is evolving net zero power solutions from annual renewable matching towards 24/7 carbon-free energy for AI and hyperscale workloads.
By 2024, the company had 1.5GW of renewable energy under contract, spanning large solar and wind portfolios plus 8.8MW of onsite solar capacity. It matched 185 data centres, including its entire North American colocation portfolio and key European and Asia-Pacific markets, with 100% renewable energy.
Recently, its strategy has focused on hourly carbon-free energy matching, allowing customers to verify decarbonisation in real time and aligning data centre operations more closely with grid decarbonisation.
Alongside clean procurement, Digital Realty is driving energy-efficiency projects expected to save tens of thousands of megawatt hours annually, with broad adoption of ENERGY STAR and green building certifications across its estate.
Targets:
- Scale 24/7 hourly carbon-free energy matching across AI-focused data centres.
- Expand renewable capacity beyond 1.5GW under contract.
- Increase the share of its portfolio operating on 100% renewable energy each year.
Latest figures:
- 1.5GW of renewable energy capacity under contract.
- 185 data centres matched with 100% renewable energy.
- 8.8MW of onsite solar installed across the portfolio.
- Energy projects expected to save 42,400 MWh annually and avoid 28,500 tonnes CO₂e.
- ENERGY STAR certification now covers 69% of US IT capacity, the sector’s highest share.
Digital Realty’s mission has always been to enable the world’s most innovative technologies by providing secure, interconnected infrastructure.
Progress:
- Transitioned from annual matching to 24/7 CFE pilots in 2025.
- Reached 1.5GW of contracted renewables supporting global sites.
- Matched all North American colocation sites with 100% renewable power.
- Achieved sector-leading ENERGY STAR coverage for US capacity.
- Launched efficiency measures, cutting tens of thousands of MWh per year.
Focus ahead:
- Roll out 24/7 carbon-free energy for AI and cloud hubs.
- Grow renewable PPAs and onsite generation in new regions.
- Deepen efficiency retrofits in older facilities.
- Expand green building certifications across global campuses.
- Use data and hourly matching to attract sustainability-led customers.
- Position data centres as active partners in grid decarbonisation.
Microsoft
Microsoft is pursuing net zero power solutions by coupling one of the world's largest corporate renewable energy portfolios with advanced grid-interactive technologies.
By FY24, the company had contracted 34GW of renewable energy globally since 2020 – a figure boosted by a landmark 10.5GW framework with Brookfield Asset Management to be developed by 2030.
Beyond procurement, Microsoft is re-architecting data centres for the AI era. It is shifting to chip-level liquid cooling in new designs and deploying grid-interactive UPS systems that allow back-up batteries to provide frequency regulation services to national grids.
While hydrogen fuel cells remain a key pilot technology for replacing diesel generators, the firm’s immediate focus has shifted to hourly energy matching and carbon removal, with 45 million tonnes of removal credits contracted by 2025 to address historical emissions.
Targets:
- Scale renewable and zero‑carbon energy to match 100% of electricity consumption by 2030.
- Become carbon negative, water positive and zero waste by 2030.
- Protect more land than it uses for operations by 2025 (target already exceeded).
Latest figures:
- 34GW of renewable energy capacity contracted globally (up from 21GW in FY23).
- 10.5GW secured in a single record-breaking framework with Brookfield Renewable.
- 45 million tonnes of carbon removal credits contracted as of 2025.
- Grid-interactive UPS technology is live in Dublin, providing sub-second frequency response to the Irish grid.
- New AI-optimised data centre designs projected to save 125,000 million litres of water annually per facility.
We remain resolute in our commitment not only to meeting our climate goals but also to empowering others.
Progress:
- Shattered corporate purchasing records with 34GW total renewable capacity.
- Launched a 250kW green hydrogen fuel cell pilot at its Dublin campus as a step toward diesel‑free backup.
- Deployed grid-interactive UPS systems in Ireland to stabilise the national grid, monetising flexibility.
- Doubled carbon removal contracts to 45 million tonnes in 2025.
- Surpassed waste diversion targets early, reaching 85% diversion for construction waste.
Focus ahead:
- Operationalise the massive 10.5GW renewable pipeline across US and Europe by 2030
- Standardise chip-level liquid cooling for high-density AI clusters.
- Scale 24/7 hourly energy matching in key regions to combat grid volatility.
- Advance hydrogen pilots (like the 250kW Dublin test) toward commercial viability.
- Deepen investment in engineered carbon removals (DAC, biochar) to meet 2030 negative goals.
Company portals
Executives
Andy Power
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ashley Muldoon
Chief Executive Officer
Satya Nadella
Chairman and CEO
