Amazon has announced its investment in 26 new utility-scale renewable projects totalling 3.4 gigawatts (GW) of energy capacity around the world, including the major Scottish onshore wind project at Kennoxhead, South Lanarkshire.
The company said Amazon Wind Farm UK at Kennoxhead is the largest single site corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) in the UK.
It will be completed over two phases in 2022 and 2024 and produce 129 MW of energy once operational.
Kennoxhead is Amazon’s second CPPA in the UK, the first being the Kintyre Peninsula in Scotland in October 2019.
Amazon said the 26 new projects will make it the largest-ever corporate purchaser of renewable energy.
“These projects will supply renewable energy for Amazon’s corporate offices, fulfillment centers, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers that support millions of customers globally,” said Amazon.
“They will also help advance Amazon’s goal to be net-zero carbon emissions across its business by 2040.
“Part of that commitment is powering Amazon’s infrastructure with 100% renewable energy, and the company is now on a path to achieve this milestone by 2025, five years ahead of the initial 2030 target.”
Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO, said: “Amazon is helping fight climate change by moving quickly to power our businesses with renewable energy.
“With a total of 127 solar and wind projects, Amazon is now the biggest corporate buyer of renewable energy ever.
“We are on a path to running 100% of our business on renewable energy by 2025 — five years ahead of our original target of 2030.
“This is just one of the many steps we’re taking that will help us meet our Climate Pledge.
“I couldn’t be more proud of all the teams across Amazon that continue to work hard, smart, and fast to get these projects up and running.”
The 26 new wind and solar projects are located in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Sweden, the UK, and the US.
Miranda Ballentine, CEO of Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA), said: “Private sector investment is essential to scaling renewable energy at the pace necessary to drive global climate action.
“The U.S.-based projects alone make Amazon’s announcement 270% larger than the largest corporate procurement announcement from a single off-taker to date, and showcase the company’s leadership and commitment to a clean and prosperous energy future.”