Google, AirTrunk and European Energy Australia prepare Mulwala Solar Farm for the grid

Google, AirTrunk and European Energy Australia have announced that the 25MW Mulwala Solar Farm in New South Wales is nearing completion and preparing to connect to Australia’s National Electricity Market.

The solar farm, located in the Riverina district, was first announced in 2023 under a corporate power purchase agreement. The project will add new clean energy capacity to the grid and support Google’s longer-term goal of operating on carbon-free energy around the clock.

New renewable capacity for Australia’s grid

The Mulwala Solar Farm is designed to inject additional renewable energy into the National Electricity Market, rather than draw from existing clean energy supply. Google, AirTrunk and European Energy Australia said the project supports Australia’s energy transition while providing benefits to the local community.

The development also links the growth of digital infrastructure with new renewable energy generation. As cloud computing and AI workloads increase demand for data centre capacity, the project provides one example of how technology companies and infrastructure providers are trying to pair expansion with cleaner power procurement.

Bikash Koley, Vice President, Global Infrastructure at Google, said the project forms part of Google’s Digital Future Initiative in Australia.

“Australia has ambitious energy goals, and we want to ensure the growth of the nation’s digital economy directly accelerates the transition to a cleaner grid,” said Bikash Koley, Vice President, Global Infrastructure, Google. “As part of Google’s Digital Future Initiative in Australia, Mulwala Solar Farm is an example of how AI and digital infrastructure can be built the right way, with clear community benefits. By partnering with the right local and international experts, we’re proving that the technology of tomorrow can be powered responsibly today.”

Data centre growth meets clean energy procurement

AirTrunk is involved in the project as a hyperscale data centre specialist serving cloud computing, AI and data-intensive customers across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The company develops and operates data centre campuses and says its operations include energy and water efficiency considerations.

Damien Spillane, Chief Customer and Innovation Officer at AirTrunk, said hyperscale data centres can support investment in new renewable energy. “We believe hyperscale data centres can help accelerate Australia’s energy transition by supporting investment in new renewable energy and strengthening long-term energy security. This collaboration shows how the industry can work together to bring more renewable energy online while creating lasting benefits for local communities.”

The project also brings in European Energy Australia, a renewable energy developer, owner and operator. The company opened its Australian office in 2022 and is part of European Energy, which operates across 25 countries.