Salesforce has announced the first international renewable energy agreement with with X-ELIO’s Blue Grass solar farm, located in the Western Downs region of Queensland.

It has contracted with 25% of the 200MW project which, in total, is expected to generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 80,000 Queensland homes and save more than 320,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions yearly.

Salesforce is responsible for the transition to clean and renewable energy sources of electricity this decade and says it wants a future in which clean and renewable energy powering the world around the cloud. In doing this, it has committed to reaching 100% renewable energy by 2022, a goal which is helped along with the Blue Grass solar farm.

The Blue Grass solar farm is an example of how the matrix can help identify projects that better improve the state of the world. While there will inevitably be tradeoffs with this criteria, this project checks a number of boxes, including: high avoided emissions, land-use and community engagement.

“I’m proud that sunny Queensland, in our own backyard, was able to provide the location, local workforce and potential for renewable energy generation to become an important step in our journey. Local action playing a big part in our global plan,” Salesforce writes in a statement.

“For us, purchasing renewable energy is about much more than adding new megawatts of renewable energy to the grid. It’s about improving the state of the world, which includes reducing emissions, and so much more.

“Our goal is to ensure the energy transition meets its true potential for improving the state of the world. And, we know that together, we can have a larger influence shaping the industry. That’s why we are sharing some of what we’ve learned from the experts and our general approach with the entire renewable energy community. Our hope is that others can use and improve upon this work.”

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