Amazon plugs data centres into renewable energy
Amazon has earmarked 26 utility-scale wind and solar energy projects totalling 3.4G W of electricity production capacity
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USA, Washington, Seattle: Amazon has earmarked 26 utility-scale wind and solar energy projects totalling 3.4G W of electricity production capacity
This brings its total investment in renewable energy in 2020 to 35 projects and more than 4 GW of capacity. This projection equates to the largest corporate investment in renewable energy in a single year. These new projects will make Amazon the largest-ever corporate purchaser of renewable energy.
Amazon has now invested in 6.5 GW of wind and solar projects that will enable the company to supply its operations with more than 18 M MWh of renewable energy annually.
These projects will supply renewable energy for Amazon’s corporate offices, fulfilment centres, and Amazon Web Services data centres that support millions of customers globally. They will also help advance Amazon’s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions across its business by 2040. Part of that commitment is powering Amazon’s infrastructure with 100 % renewable energy, and the company is now on a path to achieve this milestone by 2025, five years ahead of the initial 2030 target.
“Amazon is helping fight climate change by moving quickly to power our businesses with renewable energy,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO.
The 26 new wind and solar projects announced today are located in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Sweden, the UK, and the US. Amazon currently has 127 renewable energy projects globally, including 59 utility-scale wind and solar renewable energy projects and 68 solar rooftops on fulfilment centres and sort centres.
“Private sector investment is essential to scaling renewable energy at the pace necessary to drive global climate action,” said Miranda Ballentine, CEO of Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance. “The US-based projects alone make Amazon’s announcement 270 % larger than the largest corporate procurement announcement from a single off-taker to date and showcase the company’s leadership and commitment to a clean and prosperous energy future.”
Last year, Amazon and Global Optimism co-founded The Climate Pledge, a commitment to reach the Paris Agreement 10 years early and be net-zero carbon by 2040. The pledge now has 31 signatories, including Unilever, Verizon, Siemens, Microsoft, and Best Buy.
Source: ESI Africa