Microsoft has met its 2025 renewable energy goal by contracting 40 gigawatts of capacity to match electricity consumption across its data centres, buildings and campuses, with 19 gigawatts of that total now online.
The company said it used power purchase agreements (PPAs), typically 10- to 15-year contracts, to give energy developers the revenue certainty needed to build new solar, wind and hydroelectric capacity and connect it to regional grids.
Six partner projects contributed to the portfolio across multiple countries.
Sol Systems built dual-use solar farms in the United States, including the 270 megawatt Eldorado facility in Illinois, and established a $50 million community investment fund to support local education and agriculture initiatives.
Brookfield is converting the Hawk's Nest hydroelectric plant, a historic facility in operation for nearly a century, as part of a wider agreement to deliver more than 10.5 gigawatts of capacity to Microsoft, with power from the plant expected to begin flowing next year.
Stephen Gallagher, chief executive of North American operations for Brookfield's renewable group, said the offtake agreement had enabled major investment to extend the plant's operational life for a further century.
Auren Energia is supplying 154 megawatts from the Cajuina wind complex in Brazil, which includes a women-run wind farm and local infrastructure investment.
FRV Australia's 300 megawatt Walla Walla solar facility in New South Wales spans 605 hectares, created approximately 350 construction jobs and will power more than 90,000 homes.
ENGIE repowered the Fitou wind farm in France to nearly double its capacity and used artificial intelligence tools to enhance biodiversity monitoring and noise management.
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EDP Renewables North America contracted 675 megawatts of wind and solar capacity, which Microsoft said is sufficient to power more than 150,000 American homes.
Microsoft did not disclose the total financial value of the contracts.
The recap
- Microsoft matched 100% electricity use with renewable purchases.
- Company contracted 40 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity.
- Microsoft expects to begin receiving Hawk's Nest power next year.