Apple announced on Tuesday that it has signed contracts for 650 megawatts of renewable power in Europe. This includes wind and solar projects that are either already operational or will be soon. A large portion of the power generated will go toward offsetting the energy used by Apple customers. The energy consumption of all Apple products, from Mac Pros to Apple Watches, accounts for nearly one-third of the company’s total carbon footprint.
Even though Europe is not typically considered a sunny continent, Apple is purchasing energy from several solar farms. These include 110 megawatts each in Greece and Latvia, 131 megawatts in Spain, and 40 megawatts in Poland. Wind power will also contribute, with 99 megawatts from a farm in Romania and a portion of a 129 megawatt solar-wind portfolio in Italy.
In a separate announcement, Apple said it would invest 150 million dollars in China to help its suppliers switch to renewable energy. Already, renewable sources power more than 90 percent of the company’s manufacturing and production in that country.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of these announcements is their placement. They appear on the newsrooms of Apple’s regional websites but not on its main U.S. press site. Previously, the company’s press releases about regional renewable power purchases have appeared there, which may indicate a desire to avoid drawing the ire of the Trump administration, which has been antagonistic toward renewables.
Solar and wind power, and increasingly grid-scale batteries, have become the go-to energy source for tech companies looking to power their operations. Microsoft and Meta have also been consistent buyers of solar power in particular. This year alone, Meta has added over two gigawatts of solar capacity, and Microsoft has signed deals that increase its total by one and a half gigawatts.
While most major tech firms have pledged to move to renewable power, more practical considerations help drive these deals. Solar and wind are among the cheapest forms of new generating capacity, undercutting coal and natural gas. When paired with batteries, which continue to drop in cost, they can provide firm, twenty-four-seven power.
Another reason for this shift is speed. Solar farms can be built quickly, with a typical project requiring just eighteen months to complete. Furthermore, they can be completed in phases, allowing part of the project to come online early. For tech companies in a race to secure power for their data centers and AI operations, that speed can make a significant difference.