Amazon announced that all electricity consumed by its operations worldwide, including data centers, corporate buildings, grocery stores, and fulfillment centers, was matched with 100% renewable energy in 2023. This achievement comes seven years ahead of its initial target set in 2019 to reach this milestone by 2030.
According to Bloomberg NEF, Amazon has secured its position as the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy globally for four consecutive years. The company has invested billions of dollars in over 500 solar and wind projects worldwide, collectively capable of generating enough energy to power approximately 7.6 million US homes.
Kara Hurst, Amazon's chief sustainability officer, expressed pride in the accomplishment, stating, “Reaching our renewable energy goal is an incredible achievement, and we're proud of the work we've done to get here, seven years early.” She emphasized Amazon's ongoing commitment to decarbonize operations continuously, focusing on investments in solar and wind projects, alongside support for other carbon-free energy sources such as nuclear, battery storage, and emerging technologies.
Kyle Harrison, head of sustainability research at BloombergNEF, highlighted the broader impact of Amazon's commitment, noting, “By achieving its 100% renewable energy goal, Amazon has made it possible for hundreds of new solar and wind projects to be constructed, bringing new sources of clean energy to grids and communities around the world.”
Since 2019, Amazon has facilitated renewable energy projects across 27 countries, pioneering utility-scale renewable energy initiatives in regions like India, Greece, South Africa, Japan, and Indonesia. The company has collaborated with policymakers to develop innovative policies supporting the construction of solar and wind projects globally.
In Europe, Amazon is supporting nearly 1.7GW of capacity across six offshore wind farms, positioning itself as the leading corporate purchaser of offshore wind globally. The company's focus on optimizing turbine technology has also contributed to enhancing electricity production efficiency in renewable energy projects.
In the Asia Pacific region, Amazon has enabled over 80 renewable energy projects, including significant contributions in India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea. In Japan specifically, Amazon announced its first onshore wind farm and a standalone utility-scale solar project, marking a significant step in expanding its renewable energy footprint.