Internet retailer Amazon has announced three new renewable energy projects in the US and Spain totalling 329MW that will help it reach clean power targets of 80% by 2024 and 100% supply by 2040.
One 149MW solar project is north-east of Seville in Spain, with two more photovoltaic plants in the US states of Illinois and North Virginia with capacity of 100MW and 80MW, respectively.
All three will deliver energy to the company’s fulfilment network in Europe and Amazon Web Services data centres.
Amazon has now launched over 70 renewable energy projects that will provide over 1.9GW of renewable capacity and are projected to deliver more than 5.3 million megawatt-hours of electricity each year.
Amazon director of sustainability Kara Hurst said: “Earlier this year, we announced The Climate Pledge, setting a goal to meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early and be net zero carbon by 2040.
“We also plan to run on 80% renewable energy by 2024 and 100% renewable energy by 2030.
“We’re committed to investing in renewable energy as a critical step toward addressing our carbon footprint globally.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said: “As we work to put our state on a path to 100% clean and renewable energy, Illinois is proud to have Amazon invest in a major solar project in our state.
“Addressing climate change will take all of us working together, and leadership from state governments and the business community will demonstrate how we can sustainably power a modern economy and create good-paying jobs.”
Virginia Senator Mark Warner said: “I applaud Amazon for their investment in renewable energy projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“This solar energy project will generate 80MW of renewable energy, which will help lead to a cleaner and healthier environment.”
To track progress toward its goals, Amazon has also launched a new website to report on its sustainability commitments, initiatives and performance.
The site includes information on Amazon’s carbon footprint and other sustainability metrics that share the progress the company is making towards reaching the Climate Pledge.
Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos is pictured making the company’s climate pledge.