Amazon has made a significant stride in its commitment to sustainability by announcing the addition of 39 new renewable energy projects in Europe this year. This move contributes over one gigawatt of clean energy capacity to grids across the continent, marking a noteworthy expansion of the company’s renewable energy portfolio. With a total of 160 wind and solar projects now operational across 13 European countries, Amazon’s sustainability efforts are projected to deliver 5.8 gigawatts of clean energy capacity once all projects are fully operational. This capacity is estimated to power more than 4.7 million European households annually.
The newly introduced projects encompass various initiatives, including 15 rooftop solar installations on Amazon facilities and 24 utility-scale wind and solar projects. Notably, this expansion includes Amazon’s first solar farm in Greece, following the establishment of its initial utility-scale solar farm in Poland last year. Amazon’s investments in these projects play a pivotal role in accelerating the decarbonization of energy grids in the respective countries, aligning with broader environmental goals to transition away from fossil fuels.
Lindsay McQuade, Director of Energy, EMEA at Amazon, emphasized the positive impact of these initiatives on local communities, stating, “With more than 160 wind and solar projects in Europe, Amazon is helping to provide new sources of clean energy to local grids, creating jobs, and supporting local businesses as we progress toward powering our operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025.”
Amazon’s Renewable Energy Investments Serve As Catalysts For The Economic Growth Of Local Communities.
Amazon’s commitment to renewable energy extends beyond environmental benefits. The company’s European wind and solar farms, spanning the period from 2014 to 2022, have played a crucial role in generating an estimated €2.4 billion in investment in Europe. These projects have also contributed more than €723 million to the region’s gross domestic product (GDP), showcasing the economic significance of Amazon’s renewable energy initiatives. In 2022 alone, these projects supported over 3,900 full-time equivalent jobs, underscoring the positive socio-economic impact of Amazon’s sustainability efforts.
To assess the economic impact of its renewable energy investments, Amazon has developed a new economic model, following guidance from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The global independent economic advisory firm, Oxford Economics, has validated the model. It applies specifically to utility-scale renewable energy projects that have either begun construction or became operational between 2014 and 2022 or are expected to become operational in 2023, as a result of Amazon’s investments in Power Purchase Agreements.
New Investments
Amazon’s new investments span nine European countries, further solidifying its position as the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in Europe since 2021. These investments include rooftop solar projects in Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Additionally, there are new utility-scale solar and wind projects located in Finland, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
In pursuit of its broad sustainability objectives, Amazon strives to exclusively power its entire operations, encompassing Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers, fulfillment centers, and brick-and-mortar stores, using 100% renewable energy by 2025. This ambitious goal is aimed at being accomplished five years earlier than the initially established 2030 deadline. As of 2022, a notable 90% of Amazon’s global electricity consumption already originates from renewable energy sources, underscoring the company’s unwavering dedication to fostering a greener and more sustainable future.
Source: Amazon