AWS NZ data centre and generating capacity from a specific source

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OldGeek

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#304103 4-Apr-2023 15:33

Recently AWS has announced the building of data centres in NZ to be powered by electricity generated by Mercury at Turitea South Windfarm. Given that we have a single national grid operated by Transpower (which takes electricity generated for all sources and largely transmits it to consumers nationwide), how is this possible?

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richms

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#3059058 4-Apr-2023 15:36

Because they pay money to the company that buys their power from the windfarm.

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hsvhel

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#3059060 4-Apr-2023 15:39

I doubt their sort of agreements to supply would be anything like your average house agreement

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Inphinity

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#3059065 4-Apr-2023 15:50

It's just a commercial agreement, the actual power they consume is just standard grid, with no guarantee it's sourced from the wind farm. It's essentially an investment in the wind farm, to support ongoing efforts in renewable energy sources.

wellygary

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#3059074 4-Apr-2023 16:09

Inphinity:

It's just a commercial agreement, the actual power they consume is just standard grid, with no guarantee it's sourced from the wind farm. It's essentially an investment in the wind farm, to support ongoing efforts in renewable energy sources.

Its not really an investment in anything :),

its a commercial power deal (just like the Smelter one, except smaller) and basically frees AWS from having to pay spot pricing,

It would be interesting to know whether there is an escape clause for AWS in case Tiwai talks go sideways and those Gwh get to go to the grid in 2025... ( but that's all commercial and will never see the light of day)

frankv

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#3059387 5-Apr-2023 15:27

Inphinity:

its a commercial power deal (just like the Smelter one, except smaller) and basically frees AWS from having to pay spot pricing,

... and enables virtue signaling.

wellygary

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#3059388 5-Apr-2023 15:29

frankv:

... and enables virtue signaling.

Touché