Apple Expands Renewable Energy in Europe & China - 650MW Added

Apple Expands Renewable Energy Investments in Europe

Apple revealed on Tuesday the execution of agreements to procure 650 megawatts of renewable energy within Europe.

These investments encompass both wind and solar energy initiatives, with some projects already operational and others nearing completion.

Powering Customer Devices with Renewables

A substantial portion of the energy generated will be utilized to counterbalance the energy consumption of Apple customers.

The energy demands of devices ranging from Mac Pros to Apple Watches represent almost one-third of the company’s overall carbon footprint.

European Solar and Wind Projects

Despite Europe not being traditionally recognized for its abundant sunshine, Apple is securing energy from multiple solar farms.

• 110 megawatts each are being sourced from facilities in Greece and Latvia.
• A 131-megawatt solar farm is located in Spain.
• Poland contributes 40 megawatts of solar capacity.

Wind energy will contribute 99 megawatts in Romania, alongside a share of the 129-megawatt solar-wind hybrid portfolio in Italy.

Investment in China’s Renewable Supply Chain

In a separate announcement, Apple committed $150 million to support its suppliers in China in transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Currently, over 90% of the company’s manufacturing and production within China is already powered by renewable energy.

Regional Focus of Announcements

Notably, these announcements were published on Apple’s regional websites, but were absent from the feed of its U.S. press site.

Previously, the company’s press releases regarding regional renewable energy purchases were included in the U.S. feed, potentially to avoid conflict with the previous administration’s stance against renewables.

Tech Industry Trend Towards Renewable Energy

Solar and wind power, along with increasingly affordable grid-scale batteries, remain the preferred energy sources for technology companies aiming to power their operations.

Companies like Microsoft and Meta have also consistently invested in solar energy.

This year, Meta has added over 2 gigawatts of solar capacity, while Microsoft has secured deals adding 1.5 gigawatts to its total.

Economic and Practical Advantages

Beyond corporate pledges, practical considerations are driving these renewable energy deals.

Solar and wind are among the most cost-effective forms of new power generation, often cheaper than coal and natural gas.

When combined with decreasing battery costs, they can deliver reliable, 24/7 power.

Speed of Deployment

The rapid deployment of solar farms is another key advantage, typically requiring only 18 months for completion.

Projects can also be implemented in phases, enabling portions of the facility to become operational sooner.

This speed is particularly crucial for technology companies racing to secure power for their data centers and emerging AI operations.