Commercial, Industrial, Sourcing Renewables, Wind  -  June 3, 2016

Google recognized for contributions to wind energy

The American Wind Energy Association, or AWEA, have given recognition to Google Inc. for its leadership in advancing use of the renewable energy generation source among nontraditional buyers. 

The organization recently named the technology giant as the winner of its 2016 Outstanding Contributions to Wind Energy award. AWEA said in a blog post that Google's leadership has helped open the market for new wind development and access to low-cost clean power for other emerging customers.

"Google is honored to receive this award, and has invested in over 2 GW of renewable energy projects worldwide," John Woolard, Google's vice president for energy,  reportedly said in accepting the award at AWEA's recent conference in New Orleans. "None of these projects would be possible without the developers and technology providers who keep moving projects forward and driving costs down across the industry. It is a pleasure to work with such great partners in such an exciting time as we continue to push the expansion of renewables to drive decarbonization." 

Google is the world's largest nonutility renewable energy buyer, according to AWEA.  The company, which is also member of the RE100 initiative, has invested nearly $2.5 billion in clean energy projects. 

AWEA continued in its blog post:

During the last several quarters, there has been a regular drumbeat of major brands and tech companies joining other emerging buyers to drive a new and rapidly growing market for wind power. At 52 percent, over half of contracted wind capacity was signed for by corporate buyers for the first time in 2015 – that compares to a five percent share in 2013. With companies like Google taking the lead, that share is certain to keep steady and growing.

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