Amazon has announced the addition of 17 new renewable energy projects in Spain and its first development in Portugal, reinforcing its commitment to the energy transition. These initiatives are part of its strategy to power its operations and data centres with clean energy sources, aligning with its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 under The Climate Pledge.

With these new developments, Amazon has reached a total of 94 solar and wind projects in Spain, accumulating more than 3.7 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity. According to the company, this energy is equivalent to the electricity needed to power more than 2.3 million Spanish households annually.

“At Amazon, we are firmly committed to providing the necessary infrastructure and services to our customers while continuing to power our operations more sustainably,” stated Lindsay McQuade, Amazon’s Director of Energy for EMEA. The company emphasises that the digitalisation and electrification of society require greater investment in clean energy sources and advanced distribution networks.

Impact and distribution of the new projects in Spain

The new solar and wind farms will be distributed across several strategic regions, including Aragón, Andalusia, Castilla y León, Catalonia, and Extremadura. Together, they will add an additional 870 megawatts (MW) of capacity.

One of the most significant projects is the Ciudad Rodrigo solar farm in Salamanca, which will be one of Amazon’s largest renewable energy initiatives in Spain to date. It is expected to begin operations in 2025, with an installed capacity of 212 MW. Iberdrola, the project’s developer, has allocated an investment of €200 million and estimates that 800 jobs will be created during the peak construction phase.

The announcement reinforces Amazon’s position as Spain’s largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in 2024, a title it has also held globally for five consecutive years, according to Bloomberg NEF.

Its first project in Portugal with an innovative approach

For the first time, the company is expanding its renewable energy strategy to Portugal, with the construction of the Tâmega Wind Complex. This infrastructure will be developed alongside the Tâmega hydroelectric complex and will mark a milestone in Portugal’s energy sector by combining wind and hydroelectric power.

The integration of these two energy sources will allow wind-generated electricity to be used to pump water into the Tâmega reservoir, storing energy that can be released during periods of high demand. This system optimises the use of hydroelectric infrastructure and enhances the stability of the electricity grid.

The project, with a capacity of 219 MW, represents an investment of €350 million and is expected to create over 700 jobs during its construction phase. The combination of wind and hydroelectric power makes this park a pioneering model in the country.

Amazon’s role in the global energy transition

Amazon achieved its goal of powering all its global operations with 100% renewable energy in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule. The company has developed projects across various continents, securing a clean energy generation capacity sufficient to power the equivalent of 24.3 million European households.

These projects not only ensure a renewable energy supply for its data centres and operations but also contribute to the decarbonisation of the electricity grid and the development of local economies. In addition to environmental benefits, Amazon-led projects have driven job creation and the growth of clean technology suppliers across Europe.

With this new series of projects, the company reaffirms its leadership in the energy transition and its crucial role in the electrification of strategic sectors, maintaining its commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Amazon’s expansion in Spain and its entry into Portugal with an innovative approach reinforce its position as a key player in the global renewable energy market. With 94 projects in Spain, significant investments, and the development of hybrid solutions such as the wind-hydro combination in Portugal, the company continues to set the benchmark for the transition towards a more sustainable energy future.