Renewable energy celebrated another victory as Amazon entered into agreements to procure 476 megawatts of wind and solar energy from the Iberian Peninsula.
These power purchase agreements with the multinational utility company Iberdrola are intended to support Amazon’s plans for new data centers in the area. Last May, the firm announced its intention to invest $17 billion into infrastructure developments, including data centers, within Spain.
Amazon’s electricity expenses have been increasing significantly as the company expands its data centers to accommodate the growing demand for artificial intelligence and cloud services.
One notable project included in Amazon’s plans is the Tâmega wind farm, which is being constructed adjacent to a large hydroelectric dam system in Portugal. This system consists of three dams, with one being an 880-megawatt pumped-storage dam.
Pumped-storage systems utilize two reservoirs positioned at different heights. During high-demand periods, water is released from the upper reservoir to activate turbines. Conversely, when there is surplus power, powerful pumps move water from the lower reservoir back to the upper one. This method serves as a massive energy storage solution.
The 274-megawatts of wind turbines being installed at Tâmega will supply electricity to the grid through the hydro complex’s established connection, and when surplus energy is available, it can be utilized to pump water to the upper reservoir. Such hybrid systems allow for a reliable energy supply from otherwise variable renewable sources like wind and solar.
Additionally, Amazon is sourcing part of its energy from more conventional wind and solar farms in northwestern Spain. Last year, the company emerged as the largest purchaser of renewable energy.
Technology firms have been consistently sourcing energy from renewable projects, motivated by the rapid and cost-efficient installation of wind, solar, and battery systems. Just last month, Meta announced two substantial solar energy agreements, while Microsoft and Google have previously revealed their commitments to multibillion-dollar renewable energy initiatives.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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