Naver partners with Girin Energy to secure renewable power for data centers

Naver has teamed up with Asian renewable energy developer Girin Energy to secure clean power for its data center operations.

Naver announced Wednesday that it signed an MOU with Girin Energy to procure renewable energy for its data centers.

Under the agreement, Naver will pursue a partial equity stake in Girin Energy's Jindo Green Solar project, currently under development in Jindo, along with a long-term power purchase agreement. The two companies plan to finalize detailed terms with the goal of signing a definitive contract by the end of this year.

The Jindo Green Solar project secured an electricity business license for a total capacity of 216 megawatts earlier this year. Girin Energy will lead the project's development and operational management.

Naver plans to purchase renewable energy produced by the project on a long-term basis to strengthen supply stability for its AI and cloud infrastructure, including its data centers Gak Sejong and Gak Chuncheon.

Gak Sejong is a hyperscale data center designed to receive up to 270 megawatts of power and accommodate 600,000 server units at full capacity. It currently serves as infrastructure for Naver's large-scale AI and cloud services.

Through this partnership, Naver said it will diversify its approach to securing renewable energy by pursuing both a long-term PPA and a direct equity investment in the project.

The company also aims to source the power needed for domestic AI and cloud infrastructure growth from renewable energy and to build a long-term cooperation model between renewable energy developers and technology platform companies. Naver said it expects the partnership to help bridge the country's energy transition and digital infrastructure growth.

"Through long-term PPAs and strategic investment, Naver will strengthen the foundation for transitioning our data centers to renewable energy and continue working toward our 2040 Carbon Negative goal," said Chae Sun-joo, Naver's chief strategy officer.

"We will support Naver's renewable energy expansion while also contributing to South Korea's energy transition and carbon neutrality goals," said Assad Rajuk, CEO of Girin Energy.

Meanwhile, Naver has been pursuing energy efficiency improvements and a shift to renewable energy at its data centers since declaring its "2040 Carbon Negative" commitment in 2020. The company has continued efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power consumption through a range of renewable energy procurement methods, including solar, small hydropower and wind.

Notably, in April, Naver made an equity investment in a GS wind power plant and signed a PPA — becoming the first RE100 company in South Korea to secure renewable energy through a direct investment in a renewable energy generation entity.