Downing Renewable Developments (DRD) will develop, build and operate a 40MW solar farm to supply Kao Data’s Harlow data centre campus, according to the companies.
They said the Green Data Solar Farm will deliver up to 40MW of solar-generated electricity directly to the site via private wire.
DRD said Kao Data will procure the output under a long-term power purchase agreement.
Kao Data said the project supports its commitment to cut emissions and strengthen energy resilience as it targets net zero by 2030.
The companies said the agreement comes amid high UK energy prices and grid delays of up to 15 years in some regions.
They said the collaboration shows how private wire schemes can help ease constraints and support delivery of the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.
DRD said private renewable supply can also help operators secure long-term low power costs and reduce demand on the grid.
Tony Gannon, head of Downing Renewable Developments, said: “The agreement with Kao Data reflects the growing importance of integrated clean energy solutions in digital infrastructure.”
He said: “With a strong track record in renewable energy deployment and a UK pipeline exceeding 6GW, Downing is well positioned to support the evolving energy needs of mission critical assets such as data centres.”
He added: “This is a significant milestone for Downing as it’s our first project with a data centre operator in a sector which is growing rapidly and driving future energy demand.”
Mathew Harris, chief financial officer at Kao Data, said: “Energy availability, power pricing and grid delays continue to be three of the leading challenges for UK data centre operators, and without decisive action and innovation, our country could lose pace in the AI race.”
He said: “Our collaboration with DRD demonstrates how companies like Kao Data can take proactive action to solve some of the UK’s renewable energy challenges directly, and deliver green power at-pace and scale, to exactly where it’s needed.”
DRD said Downing has around 90 professionals dedicated to renewable energy and infrastructure and has made more than 200 core renewables investments since 2010.