Amazon today announced investments in three new wind energy projects across India, further solidifying its commitment to powering its operations with 100% renewable energy. The new projects include wind farms in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. These emphasise Amazon's broader commitment to matching the electricity consumed by its operations with renewable energy, and advancing progress toward its Climate Pledge goals.
How Amazon is expanding its renewable energy portfolio
With these investments, there’s a substantial expansion of Amazon's renewable energy portfolio in India, which now comprises of 53 solar and wind projects nationwide. These projects are collectively capable of generating more than 4 million megawatt hours (MWh) of carbon-free energy – enough to power over 1.3 million Indian homes annually. Besides 9 utility-scale solar and wind farms across the country, Amazon’s renewable energy portfolio in India also includes onsite solar arrays on 44 local buildings that host Amazon operations.
“Amazon is committed to driving the carbon-free energy transition forward in both India and around the world, which will help us all address climate change at scale,” says Avinash Shekhar, Head, APJC Energy and Water Strategy, AWS. “As the top corporate purchaser of solar and wind energy since 2020, we’ve invested in more than 600 solar and wind projects globally, including more than 50 in India, which is part of our Climate Pledge commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040.”
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon'ble Union Minister of Railways, Electronics & Information Technology, and Information and Broadcasting, stated, “Under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji, India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in the clean energy transition. Investments from companies like Amazon are accelerating this progress. Clean energy is not only about sustainability; it is central to our goal of producing 50% of our electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. As we expand our digital and transportation infrastructure, renewable energy will play a crucial role in powering the next wave of connectivity and innovation.”
Where are the new renewable energy projects located?
The latest projects that Amazon has invested in include a 100 MW wind farm at CleanMax Koppal in Karnataka; a 99 MW wind project at BluPine Solapur in Maharashtra; and a 180 MW wind project at JSW Energy Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu.
These will contribute to India’s renewable energy goals and help create numerous construction jobs in their respective regions, according to the developers.
Supporting local communities
Globally, Amazon is proud to have met its 100% renewable energy goal seven years early in 2023, and has invested in more than 600 projects globally. These are capable of producing enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 8.3 million US homes. The renewable energy projects we support not only help match the electricity consumed by our operations, but also provide new sources carbon-free energy to the local communities where our customers, vendors, and employees live and work. They also help create jobs, support local businesses, and boost the local tax base, which are all part of Amazon’s commitment to become a more sustainable company.
Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State of Power and New and Renewable Energy, said, "I welcome Amazon's continued commitment to India's renewable energy transition. Investments in wind and solar projects are crucial for achieving our renewable energy targets and ensuring energy security. These projects will not only contribute to a cleaner environment but also generate employment and foster economic growth in local communities. The Government of India remains committed in its efforts to support such initiatives, and I encourage other global corporations to invest in our green energy future."
Largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy
For the fifth year in a row, Amazon is the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy globally, according to Bloomberg NEF. Amazon India has supported more than 600 wind and solar projects to date. In many cases, these projects wouldn’t have been built without Amazon’s support, and together they will be capable of powering the equivalent of 8.3 million U.S. homes.
