Amazon Expands Renewable Energy with 17 New Projects in Spain & First in Portugal

Amazon is ramping up its renewable energy push in Spain with 17 new solar and wind projects. This brings its total investment in the country to 94 renewable projects, generating over 3.7 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy—enough to power more than 2.3 million Spanish homes annually.

A major part of this effort includes 63 large-scale wind and solar farms, which play a key role in reducing Spain’s reliance on fossil fuels. At the same time, Amazon took a big step toward its clean energy goals by launching its first renewable project in Portugal.

Mega Solar and Wind Farms Boost Spain’s Clean Energy Goals

Lindsay McQuade, Amazon’s Chief Energy Officer in EMEA said,

“At Amazon, we are committed to providing the necessary infrastructure and services to our customers, while continuing to work to power our operations more sustainably. We are aware that the electrification of our society, together with digitalization, requires investment in energy sources and networks on which we depend, if we want to take advantage of the full potential of new technologies. For this reason, at Amazon we have promoted more than 230 solar and wind projects in Europe, which has made us the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in Europe and the world in 2024.”

Spain’s latest projects include solar and wind farms in five regions: Aragon, Andalusia, Castilla y León, Catalonia, and Extremadura.

• These initiatives will add over 870 megawatts (MW) of clean energy to the grid.

One major project is a solar farm in Ciudad Rodrigo (Salamanca). It will be one of Amazon’s largest renewable projects in Spain. Set to finish in 2025, this plant will have a capacity of 212 MW.

Iberdrola is leading the project and has invested nearly €200 million. It could create 800 jobs and boost the local economy.

Last May, Amazon announced 12 new off-site renewable energy projects in Spain, adding 596 MW of capacity. This included 49 off-site installations: 9 wind farms, 40 solar plants, and 30 solar rooftops. These agreements raised Amazon’s total renewable capacity in Spain to over 2.9 GW.

Environmental Benefits of Amazon’s Renewable Energy Projects in Spain

• Lower Carbon Emissions: Amazon’s 3.7 GW of clean energy cuts greenhouse gas emissions, creating a healthier environment.
• Increased Renewable Energy Supply: These projects add capacity to Spain’s energy grid, helping the country reduce its dependence on fossil fuel.
• Job Creation: Building and running these solar and wind farms creates thousands of jobs, boosting local employment.
• Technological Innovation: Amazon applies AI and cloud computing to improve energy production and storage efficiency.
• Better Air Quality: These projects lower fossil fuel use, resulting in cleaner air for people and wildlife.

Amazon’s First Renewable Energy Deal in Portugal Set to Make History

Amazon is all set to transform Portugal’s renewable energy market with the Tâmega Wind Complex. This project will be the biggest wind farm in the country, aiming to blend wind and hydro energy for better storage and supply. It will be located near the Tâmega hydroelectric complex.

Explaining further, the wind farm will pump water into the Tâmega reservoir. Later, this water can generate electricity when demand is high. Once again, Iberdrola leads this €350 million investment, adding 219 MW of clean energy. They expect more than 700 jobs from this project and a significant employment boost for the locals.

Amazon Achieved 100% Renewable Energy Goal Years Ahead of Schedule

Amazon has met its global goal of using 100% renewable energy. This achievement came seven years early. Their clean energy projects can now power around 24.3 million homes in Europe.

These projects help Amazon run smoothly and provide clean energy to local grids. They create jobs, strengthen local economies, and contribute to sustainability efforts globally.

Globally, it has launched over 500 solar and wind projects in 19 countries. These projects produce over 77,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) each year.

In Europe, Amazon has invested in more than 230 renewable projects. This makes it the largest corporate buyer of clean energy there. These projects reduce carbon emissions and support local economies by creating jobs and helping businesses.

The Climate Pledge: A Decarbonization Commitment

Amazon’s Climate Pledge aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. It has over 375 signatories worldwide, including major Spanish companies like Telefónica and Glovo.

The company has committed $2 billion through the Climate Pledge Fund to boost decarbonization and develop innovative sustainability solutions.

Commitment to Carbon Neutrality

Amazon remains focused on sustainability. Its sustainability report revealed that in 2023, the company cut its carbon emissions by 3%. It cut its carbon footprint to 68.82 MMT CO2e from 70.74 MMT CO2e in 2022. This change came from an 11% drop in Scope 2 emissions and a 5% decrease in Scope 3 emissions. However, Scope 1 emissions rose by 7% due to increased transportation fuel use.

Amazon also reduced its carbon intensity for the fifth year in a row, reflecting a 13% drop from 2022 levels. This progress shows its commitment to minimizing environmental impact.

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