Microsoft will be the sole long-term power buyer for two solar projects Blueleaf Energy is developing in Japan. Blueleaf announced the agreements on 28 October, with Macquarie coordinating the transactions.[1]
Blueleaf says construction will now begin under a build-own-operate model, with commissioning targeted for mid-2027. The developer constructs, owns and runs the generating assets, while Microsoft contracts for their output.[1]
The announcement gives no project capacities, locations or purchase prices. Its cited 540 megawatts refers to earlier projects supporting Microsoft in the UK, Spain and India.[1]
Japan’s expanding computing footprint
Microsoft’s 3 April investment announcement sets out a $10 billion commitment for Japan over 2026–2029. That sum spans AI infrastructure, cybersecurity and workforce programmes; it is broader than a data-centre construction budget.[2]
Alongside expanding its own infrastructure, Microsoft described collaboration with Sakura Internet and SoftBank. The proposed arrangement would let customers obtain GPU-based computing through Azure while their data remains in Japan.[2]
Microsoft linked that domestic capacity to workloads including robotics, precision manufacturing and Japan-developed language models. The computing plan combines Microsoft’s services with infrastructure operated by local providers, extending the demand for supporting facilities beyond a single company’s own sites.[2]
Sources & further reading
- Macquarie and Blueleaf Energy Deepen Relationship with Microsoft Through New Power Purchase Agreements in Japan Blueleaf Energy · 28 Oct 2026 · Accessed 29 Oct 2026
- Microsoft deepens its commitment to Japan with $10 billion investment in AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, and workforce Microsoft · 3 Apr 2026 · Accessed 29 Oct 2026