Digital Realty has announced an expanded renewable energy commitment in Illinois, underscoring its continued success in supporting the growth of sustainable digital infrastructure and the communities in which it operates.
Building on the success of its initial community solar agreement in Illinois announced late last year, Digital Realty has signed additional contracts with Soltage, a US-based Independent Power Producer, for a new and significantly expanded portfolio of local community solar projects across the state with a total expected capacity of 33.5MWdc (megawatts of direct current). Digital Realty’s share of these projects – 13.4MWdc of high-quality, locally sourced solar energy – will support local grids and benefit residents throughout Illinois.
Digital Realty’s expansion of its community solar portfolio reflects the company’s dedication to ongoing environmental stewardship, supporting the delivery of clean energy to Illinois communities while continuing to meet the sustainability needs of its operations and customers. The new solar projects are expected to generate significant environmental and economic benefits for local communities, including job creation – an estimated 88 local jobs.
Digital Realty already matches 100% of the electricity used by its 11 Illinois data centers with renewable and carbon-free sources, both within Illinois and nationwide. The newly announced commitments will further boost the share generated locally, specifically in Lake, Will, and Stephenson counties. Globally, 75% of the electricity used across Digital Realty’s more than 300 data centers is matched with renewable energy, underscoring the company’s commitment to expanding clean power use throughout its operations worldwide.
“We’re proud to deepen our investment in Illinois and advance our mission to be a responsible steward of the environment,” said Aaron Binkley, Vice President of Sustainability at Digital Realty. “By investing in community solar, we’re not only decarbonizing our operations, but also supporting clean, reliable power for the communities and regions where we operate.”
This announcement marks a significant step forward in Digital Realty’s global sustainability strategy, which includes a science-based target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 68% and Scope 3 emissions by 24% by 2030. As a leader in data center sustainability, Digital Realty is working across its global portfolio to advance the decarbonization of its operations, foster local clean energy innovation, and support the transition to a low-carbon future.
