谷歌微軟盯上歐洲風力發電

一位能源業知名顧問透露，谷歌(Google)和微軟(Microsoft)正考慮投資英國海上風力發電場的可能性，這是其“綠色”用電戰略的一個組成部分。

Google and Microsoft are looking at possible investments in offshore wind farms in Britain, as part of their strategy to “green” their electricity use, a leading adviser to the energy industry has said.

對於海上風力發電行業來說，由於傳統的融資渠道崩潰，大型跨國公司和其它新投資者的投資興趣成爲了該行業的生命線。

Interest from large multinationals and other investors new to the offshore wind business is holding out a lifeline for an industry hit by a collapse in traditional sources of finance.

　　美國銀行美林(Bank of America Merrill Lynch)歐洲電力主管約翰·林奇(John Lynch)表示，“在不太遙遠的將來，”如果渴望減少其二氧化碳排放的IT企業要投資歐洲海上風力發電行業，他“不會感到驚訝”。

John Lynch, the head of power for Europe at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said he “would not be surprised” if information technology companies keen to cut their carbon dioxide emissions were to invest in European offshore wind “in the not too distant future”.

谷歌和微軟均拒絕就其未來可能的投資計劃發表評論，但投身海上風力發電的做法，符合他們降低成本、減少電力消耗對環境影響的戰略。

Google and Microsoft both refused to comment on possible future investment plans, but a commitment to offshore wind would fit with their strategies to reduce the cost and environmental impact of their electricity consumption.

谷歌在美國已投入數千萬美元，用於研究可再生能源。微軟則一直在採取各種措施，降低其電力消耗，比如將新的歐洲“大型數據中心”設在都柏林，以利用當地氣候寒冷的優勢，減少對機械冷卻的依賴。

Google has invested tens of millions of dollars into renewable energy research in the US. Microsoft has been taking steps to cut its power consumption, for example by siting its new European “mega data centre” in Dublin, taking advantage of the cold climate to reduce the need for mechanical cooling.

行業刊物New Power的多米尼·麥克雷恩(Dominic Maclaine)表示：“數據中心的服務器耗電量巨大，因此互聯網公司越來越希望確保它們購買的電力被認爲是‘綠色'的，這是可以理解的。”

Dominic Maclaine of New Power, an industry journal, said: “Data centre servers have significant power needs, and it is understandable that internet firms are increasingly keen to ensure that the power they buy is seen to be 'green'.”

　　英國政府要實現可再生能源發電佔發電總量30%的目標，就必須大力發展海上風電。但金融危機的爆發，使得人們懷疑這些開發商能否籌集到估計高達1000億英鎊的資金。

A huge expansion of offshore wind power will be essential if the government is to hit its target of generating about 30 per cent of Britain's electricity from renewable sources, but the financial crisis has raised doubts about whether developers will be able to raise the estimated £100bn of investment.