Software giant Microsoft will buy offshore wind power from a major Dutch offshore wind farm in another boost for corporate procurement of wind at sea.

The US IT behemoth will take 90MW from the Eneco/Shell-developed 731MW Borssele 3&4 project, said the company.

The green power will be used for Microsoft’s data centres, bringing the company’s total Dutch wind portfolio to 270MW.

Offshore wind has gradually seen more corporate deals of the type already common in the onshore sector and in solar PV.

Brian Janous, general manager, energy and sustainability, at Microsoft said: "This agreement is our 14th renewable energy power purchase agreement and brings our total clean energy portfolio to more than 1.5GW.

"The electricity generated will help support the continued long-term growth of Microsoft cloud services delivered from the Netherlands.”

Borssele 3&4 will use 77, 9.5MW turbines from MHI Vestas in the Dutch part of the North Sea when it begins commercial operation in early 2021