Segments

Data centres - renewable power supply and PPAs

Q: What power infrastructure does a data centre need?

A data centre requires a stable connection with adequate capacity (from a dozen or so to several hundred MW), usually at high voltage level (HV 110 kV). Redundant supply lines, UPS systems, standby generators and, increasingly, battery energy storage (BESS) are essential. To meet ESG requirements, PPA contracts with renewable farms or its own behind-the-meter installations are also needed.

Data centres - growing demand for energy

The data centre market in Poland is growing at more than 20% a year, driven by the digitalisation of the economy and the growth of cloud services, artificial intelligence and edge computing. Warsaw and its surroundings are the main data centre hub in the CEE region, and new investments are also planned in Kraków, Wrocław and the Tricity.

The key challenge for data centre operators is securing a stable and sufficient power supply. A single data centre may require from a dozen or so to several hundred MW of capacity. At the same time, ESG regulations and the expectations of corporate customers are forcing an increasing share of renewable energy in the data centre energy mix. PPA contracts (Power Purchase Agreement) with renewable farms are becoming the standard.

GCC Energy Consulting combines expertise from the renewables sector with an understanding of the infrastructure needs of data centres. We help data centre operators to secure a stable supply from green sources, to optimise energy costs and to meet sustainability requirements.

Our capabilities

What we do for the data centre sector

We secure the power infrastructure for data centres - from grid connections, through renewable sources, to battery energy storage.

Power infrastructure

Comprehensive support in securing the power supply of a data centre - from analysis of capacity demand, through site selection, to negotiations with the network operators on grid connection conditions.

Grid connections

Support in the process of obtaining connection capacity at HV and MV level. Analysis of network availability, coordination with DSOs and PSE, optimisation of connection costs.

PPA structuring

Preparation and negotiation of PPA contracts (Power Purchase Agreement) with renewable farms. Matching the delivery profile to the demand of the data centre, price risk analysis.

BESS integration

Design and implementation of battery energy storage (BESS) as part of the power infrastructure of a data centre - ensuring continuity of supply, peak shaving, optimisation of energy costs.

ESG strategy

Support in building a sustainable power supply strategy - selection of the optimal energy mix, green energy certification (GO), emissions reporting (Scope 2).

Behind-the-meter renewables

Design of renewable installations located directly next to the data centre - on-site solar PV farms, BESS, cogeneration. Reduction of energy costs and of dependence on the grid.

Process

How we secure energy for data centres

Energy audit

Analysis of capacity and energy demand, load profile, requirements for redundancy and continuity of supply, ESG targets.

Power supply strategy

Development of the optimal energy mix - grid, PPA, behind-the-meter renewables, BESS. Modelling of costs and price scenarios.

Securing supply

Negotiation of grid connection conditions, PPA structuring, selection and contracting of renewable and BESS installations, coordination with suppliers.

Implementation and optimisation

Coordination of the delivery of the power infrastructure, launch of the PPA, ongoing optimisation of energy costs and of the procurement strategy.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What power infrastructure does a data centre need?

How can green energy be secured for a data centre?

The most effective approach is a combination of several instruments: long-term PPA contracts (Power Purchase Agreement) with solar PV and wind farms providing physical delivery of green energy, its own behind-the-meter renewable installations located next to the data centre, guarantee of origin certificates (GO) supplementing the portfolio and, ultimately, BESS to stabilise the supply profile. GCC helps to select and negotiate the optimal mix of instruments.

What is the availability of connection capacity?

The availability of large connection capacity is one of the main challenges for new data centres in Poland. In the Warsaw agglomeration and in other major data centre hubs, spare capacity at HV level is limited. Obtaining grid connection conditions takes from a few months to more than a year, and delivery of the connection itself can take 2 - 4 years. Securing connection capacity early is critical to the success of a data centre project.

Can BESS replace diesel generators in a data centre?

Battery energy storage (BESS) can partly replace diesel generators as a source of backup power, particularly in scenarios involving short supply interruptions. BESS offers an immediate response (milliseconds vs. seconds for generators), zero local emissions and lower operating costs. In practice a hybrid model is most commonly used - BESS as the first line of defence (covering 5 - 15 minutes) and generators as long-duration backup.

Data centres - renewable power supply and PPAs

Data centres - growing demand for energy

What we do for the data centre sector

Power infrastructure

Grid connections

PPA structuring

BESS integration

ESG strategy

Behind-the-meter renewables

How we secure energy for data centres

Energy audit

Power supply strategy

Securing supply

Implementation and optimisation

Frequently asked questions

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GCC Energy Consulting