Microsoft Inks First Renewable Energy Deal In India

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Microsoft has this week announced that it has inked its first-ever renewable energy deal in India, a small solar Power Purchase Agreement with Atria Power in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Credit: Atria Power

Announced on Tuesday, Microsoft confirmed that it had signed its first renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in India. The deal will see Microsoft purchase 3 megawatts (MW) of solar power from renewable energy provider Atria Power, a small company based in the capital of Karnataka. The power is intended for powering Microsoft’s new office building in the city and will account for 80% of the building’s electricity consumption.

The PPA is also part of a program set out by the state government of Karnataka to encourage investment in local solar energy operations to help meet the country’s larger 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, 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.”

“Microsoft, like India, has ambitious commitments to use more renewable energy,” added Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist, 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.”

This is not only Microsoft’s first renewable energy deal in India but also one of the company’s first in Asia, following hot on the heels of last week’s announcement in Singapore in which Microsoft signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the electricity generated by the country’s largest solar project. Specifically, Microsoft will secure 60 MW from a solar portfolio that spans hundreds of rooftops across Singapore for use in powering Microsoft’s data center in the region.


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Joshua S Hill

I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

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