The expected long-term growth of microgrid deployment due to a spike in data center construction has convinced a transatlantic clean energy developer to expand its goals within the industry. 

South Carolina-based Alternus Clean Energy and Dallas-based microgrid developer Hover Energy announced a new joint venture focused on projects serving data centers and commercial and industrial customers. Financial firms such as Goldman Sachs are forecasting as much as 47 GW of new data center capacity under construction through the rest of this decade. 

The Alternus-Hover joint venture will utilize Hover’s microgrid portfolio featuring wind generators and energy control systems. Alternus will contribute its solar portfolio, project financing and development expertise, the company said. 

“This is the future, and it is available today,” Hover Energy CEO Chris Griffin said in a statement. “What has been needed is a one-stop shop to allow companies to achieve net zero directly.” 

Alternus and Hover first announced their strategic alliance in January. Once development begins on the microgrid projects, Hover will handle engineering, procurement and construction work, while Alternus will own and operate the microgrids. 

The project pipeline already in development includes nearly 40 microgrids totaling close to 60 MW, with clients in the U.S., United Kingdom, Ireland as target markets. Alternus will own 51% and Hover 49% of the joint venture, according to reports. 

Alternus CEO Vincent Browne said that the 60 MW microgrid project pipeline was expected to take two years but was realized in only five months.