Amazon Backs India's Renewable Energy Future
Amazon has made an exciting announcement about its latest venture in India, revealing a groundbreaking 198 megawatt (MW) wind farm situated in Osmanabad, Maharashtra.
This development marks a significant milestone for Amazon as it now boasts a remarkable portfolio of 50 wind and solar projects across the country, collectively amounting to over 1.1 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity.
In a remarkable feat, Amazon has not only held the title of the largest global corporate purchaser of renewable energy since 2020 but has also solidified its position as the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in India, according to publicly available data and Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Beyond the numbers, Amazon's unwavering commitment to clean energy has translated into substantial economic benefits for the Indian communities. Between 2014 and 2022, the company's wind and solar initiatives have generated an impressive estimated sum of $349 million (INR 2,885 crore) in economic investments.
These projects have contributed approximately $87 million (INR 719 crore) to the country's total gross domestic product (GDP) while sustaining over 20,600 full-time equivalent jobs in the year 2022 alone, as per a novel economic model designed by Amazon.
Abhinav Singh, the Vice President of Operations at Amazon India, highlighted the profound impact of rapidly expanding renewable energy efforts, particularly in India.
As the nation focuses on transitioning away from fossil fuels, Amazon's wind and solar projects are poised to power the company with 100% renewable energy by 2025. This ambitious goal not only aligns with Amazon's pledge to be a more sustainable business but also promises to deliver job opportunities and economic advantages to local communities, a testament to Amazon's dedication to India's environmental and economic objectives.
Shri Dinesh Dayanand Jagdale, the Joint Secretary of The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, praised Amazon's investments in renewable energy, acknowledging their role in encouraging more corporations to embrace renewable energy in India.
He stressed India's successful achievement of its Nationally Determined Contributions target of 40% capacity from renewable sources ahead of schedule. With India's renewable energy sector growing rapidly, Amazon's initiatives are facilitating the realisation of corporate 100% renewable energy goals in the country, further contributing to India's broader energy and environmental aspirations.
Amazon's latest addition to its clean energy commitment is the Osmanabad wind farm, marking the seventh large-scale renewable energy project unveiled in India within the past year. Moreover, Amazon has introduced 43 rooftop solar projects that actively power local Amazon facilities.
Once all 50 projects become operational, they are projected to generate the equivalent energy needed to power over 1.1 million homes in New Delhi annually while also providing clean power for Amazon's data centres, logistics hubs, physical stores, and corporate offices.
Over the years, Amazon has worked closely with Indian policymakers, regulators, and various industry stakeholders to expand the scope of corporate renewable energy procurement in the country. This collaboration has not only brought new renewable energy projects to fruition but also paved the way for other organisations to embark on similar renewable energy endeavours.
Amazon's dedication to sustainability is underscored by its commitment to invest $26 billion (INR 2,14,942 crore) in India by 2030, including AWS's substantial investment of $12.7 billion (INR 1,05,600 crore) in cloud infrastructure by the same year.
AWS's cloud infrastructure, encompassing two AWS Regions in Mumbai and Hyderabad, holds the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of Indian customers who migrate their IT workloads to AWS from on-premises systems.
Additionally, AWS's tools and solutions are empowering companies like Greenko Group, a leading renewable energy solutions provider in India, to monitor their wind fleet's health and performance in real-time using AI, ML, IoT, and data analytics.
In a monumental step, Amazon has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 through The Climate Pledge, boasting over 400 signatories, including nine prominent Indian companies.
Furthermore, Amazon is electrifying its delivery fleet in India, with over 6,000 electric vehicles operating in more than 400 local cities. To enhance its environmental stewardship, the company is investing $15 million in nature-based projects in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with the initial $3 million designated for projects in India.
One such endeavour in the Western Ghats aims to plant 3,00,000 trees, creating carbon sinks and promoting wildlife conservation and livelihoods. This underscores Amazon's holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing clean energy, emission reduction, and nature conservation.
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Source: Amazon
