Microsoft moves to power India ops by renewable

Global tech giant Microsoft which is pursuing the goal of meeting at least half of its energy demand (offices and facilities) globally through renewable energy sources by the end of 2018 has made its first decisive move in this direction in India. According to a report by the news agency PTI, the company has signed an agreement with Atria Power to supply clean energy power to its new facility in Bengaluru. As per the details available, Microsoft will be buying 3 megawatts of solar-powered electricity from Atria Power which will meet 80 percent of the energy demand of the facility.

The staggering over 5.85 lakh sq feet facility is likely to become operational by June end, 2018. “Investing in local solar energy to help power our new Bengaluru office building is good for Microsoft, good for India and good for the environment,” Microsoft India President Anant Maheshwari said.

The deal with Atria Power is not only the first in India for Microsoft but also the first major renewable move by the company in Asia. The company, however, has been quite pro-active in procuring  energy for its offices and facilities from renewable energy sources in Europe and the US. The company is believed to have created a robust renewable portfolio particularly through wind sources in Europe and in the US using a combination of wind, solar and hydro power electricity. With its latest deal in India, Microsoft is estimated to have now signed for the procurement of 900 MW of clean energy for its operations worldwide.

The deal with Atria Power is not only the first in India for Microsoft but also among the significant preliminary renewable moves by the company in Asia. Late last month, Microsoft had signed a 20 year long contract with Singapore-based Sunseap Group from which it will buy 60 MW of solar energy to run its local units. The company, however, has been quite pro-active in procuring  energy for its offices and facilities from renewable energy sources in Europe and the US. The company is believed to have created a robust renewable portfolio particularly through wind sources in Europe and in the US using a combination of wind, solar and hydro power electricity. With its latest deal in India, Microsoft is estimated to have now signed for the procurement of 900 MW of clean energy for its operations worldwide.