GHG Emissions, Sourcing Renewables, Wind  -  February 8, 2021

Amazon to power European operations with Netherlands wind energy

Amazon will purchase half of the energy produced by a large Netherlands offshore wind farm to power its operations in Europe. The project will bring the company closer to its goal of being net-zero carbon by 2040 and allow it to run off 100% renewable energy by 2025, five years earlier than it previously planned.

The “Amazon-Shell HKN Offshore Wind Project” will be Amazon’s largest single-site renewable energy project yet, according to a report from CNBC. The 759-MW project off the Dutch coast spans 125 square kilometers featuring 69 turbines. It was developed by Shell and Eneco and is expected to be operational by 2023.

Amazon’s purchase will consist of more than 380 MW, welcome as the company looks to invest in more renewable sources of energy to reduce its carbon footprint. The company’s global data centers use vast amounts of electricity to perform computing tasks for Amazon and other companies. This, along with its increasing fleet and cardboard packaging, has lead it to criticisms from environmental organizations. 

However, with 187 worldwide solar and wind projects totaling 6.9 GW Amazon now claims it is the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy.

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