Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Microsoft
By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
Microsoft’s three new data centers in Goodyear and El Mirage will be powered with 100 percent renewable energy.
That includes via collaborations with Tempe-based First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR), Arizona Public Service (APS) and getting solar energy from a 150MW First Solar production facility in Maricopa, according to Brian Janous, general manager for energy for Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT).
Janous said Microsoft will also spearhead water conservation efforts at Lake Mead as Arizona and other Western states look at long-term drought and supply contingencies.
Microsoft officially announced its three new Arizona data centers Tuesday in Tempe with Arizona. Gov. Doug Ducey, Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord and El Mirage Mayor Alexis Hermosillo.
Ducey touted the Microsoft data center as testament to Arizona’s economic strength.
“The Arizona economy continues to boom,” said Ducey pointing out that the state has added more than 300,000 new jobs since 2015.
Ducey said the data centers will have an annual economic impact of $20 million and create significant construction jobs.
The Phoenix region has become a top landing spot for data centers including Apple and Google operations in Mesa.
The Microsoft deal for Goodyear comes along with Amazon planning a third distribution center in the West Valley and Nike’s plans for manufacturing plant.
