Digital Realty expands community solar in Illinois for sustainable growth

Digital Realty, a global leader in cloud- and carrier-neutral data centre solutions, has announced its renewed commitment to sustainable energy in Illinois. The latest pledge strengthens their role in fostering environmentally responsible digital infrastructure across the state.

Following the success of their previous solar agreement, Digital Realty has contracted with Soltage, a US-based Independent Power Producer, to develop a significantly expanded solar portfolio. This new initiative will bring an anticipated 33.5MWdc of community solar projects to fruition, of which Digital Realty will harness 13.4MWdc for local grid enhancement.

The expansion underscores Digital Realty's dedication to environmental stewardship and its ongoing mission to support clean energy in Illinois. Not just environmentally sound, these projects are also predicted to bolster local economies, particularly through job creation, with an estimated 88 new positions expected.

Previously, Digital Realty matched all electricity consumption of its 11 Illinois data centres with renewable and carbon-free sources. These new ventures, particularly in Lake, Will, and Stephenson counties, are set to augment this sustainable energy framework further. Presently, a commendable 75% of Digital Realty's global data centres operate with renewable energy, highlighting a firm commitment to sustainable practices worldwide.

The strategic alignment with local and global clean energy solutions is part of Digital Realty’s broader sustainability blueprint. This includes reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 68% and Scope 3 emissions by 24% by 2030. By fostering local clean energy innovations and supporting low-carbon transitions, Digital Realty isn't merely focusing on operations but also making strides toward a sustainable future for all the regions they operate within.