Microsoft: Renewable energy deal signed with AES to power Virginia data centers

Microsoft has announced a new agreement with energy firm AES, whereby AES will provide the tech giant with renewable energy for all of its data centers in Virginia. This energy will be sourced 576MW of contracted renewable assets. These assets include wind and solar. 

This agreement aligns with Microsoft's 100/100/0 commitment as part of its sustainability goal to reach net-zero by 2030. 

Explaining how this PPA fits with the company's climate goals, Brian Janous, General Manager Energy & Renewables at Microsoft: "By leveraging AES' capability and presence in the PJM market, we are able to both secure additional renewable supply in support of meeting our commitment to use 100 percent renewable energy by 2025, and also take a meaningful step toward having 100 percent of our electricity matched by zero-carbon resources all of the time in the region." 

Adding: "We believe innovative commercial structures like this with AES and integrating new technologies will be key as we continue to move toward our 100/100/0 commitment."

Meanwhile, Andrés Gluski, AES President and CEO, commented: "Microsoft is a leader in the energy transition with its commitment to being 100 percent powered by zero-carbon electricity by 2030. We're proud of the solution we co-created with Microsoft to help meet that commitment with the delivery of 24/7 zero-carbon electricity to its Virginia-based data centers. Working together with leading corporations, we are setting new standards for decarbonizing their operations and the grid."