Why is Amazon Investing in the Energy Transition?

Global technology giant Amazon is investing in more than 40 gigawatts of carbon-free energy, supporting the energy transition.

This is enough energy to power more than 12.1 million homes in the US.

The company is one of the world’s corporate leaders in purchasing carbon-free energy, according to BloombergNEF.

Amazon’s clean energy investments

As part of its sustainability strategy, Amazon is investing in carbon-free and renewable energy projects.

These are used to help power its own operations, as well as adding new sources of energy to the power grid, helping to power homes, hospitals and schools.

Amazon’s portfolio of carbon-free energy spans more than 700 projects across 28 countries, including four nuclear power agreements, more than 300 onsite solar projects and six offshore wind farms in Europe.

As well as providing clean energy, these projects help create thousands of construction jobs and positions in local areas, helping to build local economies.

Amazon’s work is also helping make the energy grid more reliable by strengthening the infrastructure.

One project uses AI machine learning software to optimise the storage and release of energy based on grid conditions.

This can help stabilise the energy grid during extreme weather events when energy demand is likely to spike.

Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon, writes on LinkedIn: “Our world needs more energy – that’s just the reality. We need it for daily life. Companies need it to operate.

“And with AI, the electrification of everything and even more people coming online, demand isn’t slowing down.

“At the same time, we need to make sure this growth happens responsibly – and Amazon is leading by example.

“That’s why we’ve invested billions of dollars in more than 700 projects globally (including solar, wind, nuclear and battery storage) which will generate carbon-free, reliable, affordable energy.”

A focus on nuclear energy

Amazon is working on advancing nuclear energy by investing in small modular reactors (SMRs), which are designed for faster deployment and lower construction costs.

Nuclear energy brings benefits including providing steady and reliable carbon-free power, which can meet growing electricity demands while cutting emissions.

The company’s SMR projects are expected to create more than 1,000 construction jobs and more than 100 permanent positions in local communities.

Maria Korsnick, President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, says: “Nuclear energy is the nation’s largest source of clean electricity, providing reliable baseload power essential to meeting our energy goals.

“As electricity demand continues to grow due to AI and data centres, corporate investments in nuclear technologies like small modular reactors are critical to fuelling innovation while reducing emissions.

“Amazon’s leadership in this space is helping to accelerate the deployment of next-generation nuclear energy that will cleanly and reliably power the world’s digital economy for decades to come.”

The Energy Transition Forum at Sustainability LIVE

At Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit, sustainability experts will come together to discuss techniques to support the shift towards cleaner energy.

Sessions including The Energy Transition Forum will feature sustainability leaders from a range of industries sharing renewable solutions that could reshape global energy markets.

Hear from ladders in solar, wind, green hydrogen and storage as they share insights on scaling infrastructure and enabling policy and investment.

Meet the panellists: 

• Yvonne Holmes, Group Director of Sustainability, DCC
• Alessandro Ciampechini, Technical Director, Built Environment Sustainability, WSP
• Ritesh Das, Head of Product Net Zero, OVO Energy
• Simon Evans, Director & Global Digital Energy Leader, Arup

The speakers will highlight practical strategies for decarbonising energy systems, during the global shift from fossil fuels to renewables.

Join us at Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit on 4-5 March to attend The Energy Transition Forum and hear from experts.

Secure your ticket now.