Microsoft has expanded its portfolio of renewable energy sources by 389 megawatts as the tech giant tries to fulfil the power demands necessary to support its AI goals.
The extra renewable energy comes from three solar projects built by EDP Renewables North America, including one outside Austin, Texas, and two in southern Illinois. Microsoft is purchasing a combination of renewable energy credits to meet demand elsewhere and electricity to power its local facilities.
Microsoft has contracted nearly 20 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, adding 2% to its 2024 sustainability report, primarily for cloud and AI operations due to its quick and cost-effective deployment.
Solar farms can start producing power in 18 months, compared to years for gas plants. Developers plan phased projects for quick data center electricity provision.
Some renewable developers are using hybrid installations to provide power around the clock. One or more battery types are linked to solar and wind power, and they are charged while renewable energy is flowing and discharged when it is not. Amazon inked a deal with one of these developments in Portugal last week.
Microsoft is acquiring renewable energy to power its operations without pollution and potentially achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, requiring more carbon sequestration than its operations produce.
Microsoft is investing in carbon removal methods, including air capture, rock weathering, and reforestation, and has partnered with Chestnut Carbon to purchase over 7 million tonnes of carbon credits.
