Amazon to procure renewable energy from Co Derry wind farm

Online retailer Amazon is set to procure renewable energy from a wind farm which is being developed in County Derry.

The e-commerce platform has signed its latest power purchase agreement in the North, for the Corlacky Hill Wind Farm.

Once constructed, the wind farm, located near Swatragh, will consist of 11 turbines with a total capacity of 47 megawatts (MW).

The wind farm is projected to inject £2.5 million into the North's economy, according to the wind farms developer ERG, and will support Amazon's Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2040.

“Amazon is committed to providing the infrastructure and services our customers need, while also helping powering our operations more sustainably,” said Lindsay McQuade, Director of Energy at Amazon for EMEA.

“We recognise that the electrification of our society, along with digitalisation, requires investment in energy sources and grids we depend on if we are to access the full potential of AI. That’s why we have invested in more than 230 solar and wind projects in Europe, making us Europe and the world’s largest corporate renewable energy purchaser in 2024.”

Across the island of Ireland, Amazon has enabled a total of six wind farms, which when completed, will provide 373 MW of carbon free energy, enough to power the equivalent of more than 298,000 homes.

Ms McQuade continued: “Amazon supports the global transition to carbon-free energy and accelerating the decarbonization of electricity grids. For example, as part of a strategic collaboration with Bord na Móna, an Irish semi-state climate solutions company, Amazon Web Services (AWS) will become the first business to join the Bord na Móna Eco Energy Park in the Irish Midlands, subject to regulatory and planning consent. This Eco Energy Park is the first of its kind in Ireland and will support large-scale industrial growth backed by wind and solar power, and flexible generation to support grid resiliency.

“In addition, Amazon supports Ireland's ambitious offshore wind targets, and its leadership in digital infrastructure presents a unique opportunity to drive forward climate, economic, and social goals.  To realise this potential requires a concerted effort from government, industry, and the private sector, with technology companies playing a crucial role through corporate power purchase agreements in supporting future offshore wind projects and fuel Ireland's digital transition.”

Lindsay added that the investment will help create jobs and support local businesses and the community.

“Amazon met its 100% renewable energy goal seven years early in 2023, and has invested in enough renewable energy projects globally to power the equivalent of 24.6 million European homes. The renewable energy projects Amazon enables not only helps match the electricity consumed by our operations, but also provide new sources of carbon-free energy to the local communities where our customers, vendors, and employees live and work. They also help create jobs, support local businesses and the economy, which are all part of Amazon’s commitment to become a more sustainable company.”