Elly Yates-Roberts |
Microsoft is contributing to Taiwan’s renewable energy targets by providing funding for renewable energy certificates (RECs).
In 2016, the Taiwanese government set a target to increase the percentage of renewable energy in the island’s power supply from 4.8% in 2016 to 20% by 2025.
Microsoft is currently the only technology company participating in president Tsai Ing-wen’s efforts to establish a National Renewable Energy Certification Centre (T-REC Centre). The centre will help to promote renewable energy.
“We are working with industry to ensure that the renewable energy certificates we offer are both compelling to businesses and internationally accepted – as such, we appreciate the considerable knowledge and experience that organisations like Microsoft have contributed in the early development of the centre,” said Hsieh Han-Chang, chairman of national renewable energy certification centre project and chief secretary, BSMI/MOEA.
Microsoft recently purchased 3,000 MWh of small-scale hydro renewable energy credits (RECs) in Taiwan which represents 100% of the annual electricity consumption in Taiwan.
In a recent blog post, Vincent Shih, general manager of corporate, legal and external affairs for Microsoft Taiwan, explained how the project reflects Microsoft’s own goals for using renewable energy.
“We’re also trying to lessen our footprint, as a lowered amount of carbon emissions from our facilities should make it easier to hit the country’s goals,” said Shih. “That’s why we took the opportunity during a recent office move to modernise our workplace and to reduce our energy footprint. Using technologies like the cloud and Skype for Business, our work environment is more mobile-friendly and collaborative, and we have reduced our overall power consumption by 51%.”
Microsoft is also leveraging its technology to help other organisations improve their energy efficiency. Taiwan’s state operated power company, Taipower, is considering ways to improve transmission system efficiency and enhance grid technology. Microsoft is helping them explore the potential of artificial intelligence to manage operations.