Amazon AWS: Amazon announces 37 new renewable energy projects globally

Amazon recently announced it has invested in 37 renewable energy projects across the globe. Located across the US, Spain, France, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, these projects will total 3.5 GW, bringing its global renewable energy portfolio to 15.7GW. Included within this portfolio are three new wind farms, 26 new solar farms, and eight new rooftop solar installations. This announcement includes projects in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Virginia.

Speaking about this renewable energy portfolio expansion, Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon, said: “Our commitment to protecting the planet and limiting Amazon’s impact on the environment has led us to become the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in the world in both 2020 and 2021. Given the growth of our business, and our mission to run 100 percent of Amazon’s operations on renewable energy, we aren’t slowing our renewable investments down." 

He outlined the company now has 310 wind and solar projects across 19 countries, adding that the company is: “Working hard to reach our goal of powering 100 percent of our business on renewable energy by 2025—five years ahead of our original target of 2030.”

Heather Zichal, CEO of the American Clean Power Association (ACP), said that Amazon “continues to be a leader” in scaling up its renewable energy projects. That said, despite these big green energy purchases, it was not long ago that Amazon was found to be failing to provide substance its environmental pledges, with a “low integrity” rating regarding climate targets.