Elly Yates-Roberts |
Microsoft has completed its first renewable energy deal in India.
The agreement will see Microsoft purchase three megawatts of solar-powered electricity from Atria Power to help power its new office building in Bangalore, India. This will meet 80% of the predicted electricity needs at the new facility.
This deal is part of a programme from the state government of Karnataka aimed at encouraging investment in local solar energy operations. The deal is also in line with the Indian government’s goal of increasing solar power generation to 100 gigawatts by 2022.
“Investing in local solar energy to help power our new Bangalore office building is good for Microsoft, good for India and good for the environment,” said Anant Maheshwari, president of Microsoft India. “We are proud to be deepening our long history of partnership and investment in India with this agreement. This deal will help us grow sustainably and supports the growth of the Indian solar energy industry, so that the entire country can more easily and reliably access clean electricity.”
As well as being the company’s first solar energy agreement in India, the deal is also Microsoft’s first in Asia.
The company recently signed a new solar agreement in Singapore, and Microsoft’s goal is to rely on wind, solar and hydropower electricity for at least 50% of its energy usage worldwide by the end of 2018.
“Microsoft, like India, has ambitious commitments to use more renewable energy,” said Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist at Microsoft. “By purchasing local solar power to meet some of our local electricity needs, we’re not only meeting our goals but also supporting the growth of local clean energy industries. This growth leads to more clean electricity capacity, which will help India meet its targets for the Paris Agreement, reduce carbon emissions and provide clean electricity to its growing population. We’re proud to play a small role in this Indian energy transformation.”