Google has increased its renewable energy holdings with a $200 million investment in the Spinning Spur Wind Project. The investment marks the eleventh time since 2010 that Google has invested in renewable energy. The $200 million investment is also the second largest for Google, second only to its $280 million investment in SolarCity.
Located in Oldham County, Texas, Spinning Spur Wind Project generates 161 megawatts of energy, enough power to provider electricity for 60,000 homes. The Spinning Spur operation is powered by 70 2.3MW Siemens turbines that began spinning full-time at the end of 2012.
The Spinning Spur Wind Project providers power to SPS, a utility services company that providers power for residents and businesses in Texas and New Mexico.
Announced on Google’s own blog, the company says its investment “offers an attractive returns relative to the risks and allow us to invest in a broad range of assets.”
Google has now invested in renewable energy sources that, when combined, provide upwards of 2 gigawatts of power. Other Google investments include the Shepherds Flat wind farm, the Atlantic Wind Connection, Recurrent Energy’s California wind farm, and the Rippey Projects 50MW wind far outside of Des Moines, Iowa.
Google over the last several years has also taken the initiative to increase the green capacities of its own server farms, allowing the company to save millions of dollars annually for its ever increasing data center footprint.
While many solar power and other energy projects have failed over the last several years, Google continues to invest in proven energy company’s with a track record for producing successful profits.