Microsoft buys another 100 MW of solar, this time in Japan

Microsoft has agreed to purchase 100 megawatts of solar power capacity from Japanese developer Shizen Energy, continuing its series of renewable energy investments to support its expanding computing infrastructure. The company already operates two data centers in Japan and plans to invest $2.9 billion in the country over the next year, underscoring its commitment to growing its presence there. Solar energy is increasingly favored by tech firms and data center operators due to its relatively low cost and rapid deployment, with projects typically completed within 18 months and power generation often starting before full completion. Microsoft has been a significant buyer of solar power recently, having contracted over 1 gigawatt of solar capacity since the beginning of the year, reflecting its strategy to meet rising compute demands sustainably.