Amazon hurtles towards green goal with investment in huge Scottish offshore wind farm

Amazon has invested in a major Scottish offshore wind project as the internet giant continues to ramp up its green credentials.

The site will generate some 350 megawatts of power once operational and is said to be the largest corporate renewable energy deal announced by any business in the UK to date. Details of the North Sea wind project are expected to be revealed later in the year.

It is one of nine new utility-scale wind and solar energy projects totalling 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of electricity production capacity outlined by Amazon bringing the group’s total investment in renewable energy to 205 projects and 8.5 GW.

Last year, Amazon laid claim to being the world’s largest corporate purchaser of green energy after investing in a string of renewable projects. Those included an onshore wind project at Kennoxhead in South Lanarkshire.

Stock picture of an offshore wind farm. Details of the Amazon wind project investment are expected to be revealed later in the year. Picture: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire

The global announcement makes the company the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in Europe with more than 2.5 GW of capacity, or enough to power more than two million homes for a year.

The renewable energy sources supply power for its corporate offices, fulfilment centres and data centres around the world.

Amazon’s goal is to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and reach net-zero carbon emissions across its business by 2040.

Jeff Bezos, the company’s founder and chief executive, said: “Amazon continues to scale up its investments in renewable energy as part of its effort to meet ‘the climate pledge’, our commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2040.

“With these nine new wind and solar projects, we have announced 206 renewable wind and solar projects worldwide, and we are now the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in Europe and globally.”

Gregory Wetstone, president and chief executive of the American Council on Renewable Energy, said: “Amazon continues to play a key role leading the corporate transition to renewable power worldwide and demonstrating that ambitious renewable targets are both achievable and widely beneficial..

“The company’s nine new clean energy projects bring them to an impressive record total of 8.5 gigawatts of global renewable capacity and include Amazon’s first solar plus storage project, using advanced technology to help deliver a clean, reliable grid.”

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