The Anglo-Dutch oil producer and lubricant maker Shell has agreed a deal with online giant Amazon to supply it with renewable power for its data centres.
The recent explosion in online services has led to a similar growth in data centres to provide these services, all of which require a considerable amount of power. Many online companies have committed to achieving net-zero emissions as a result. Amazon is seeking to power its operations entirely with renewable energy by 2025 and become a net-zero emitter across its entire business by 2040.
Amazon will be supplied with electricity from a wind farm that is currently under construction off the Dutch coast. It will be operated by a consortium, including Shell and the Dutch energy company Eneco, which will supply Amazon with 250 MW and 130 MW of electricity, respectively.
Shell’s Executive Vice President for New Energies, Elisabeth Brinton, said that in generating electricity for Amazon with the new wind farm, it:
“Contributes to their net-zero pledge while progressing our own ambition to be a net-zero emissions business by 2050 or sooner. We are delighted to continue strengthening our strategic relationship with Amazon Web Services (AWS) across Shell New Energies. Our collaboration is enabling us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation.”
Amazon has already worked with Shell on sustainability issues. Its air cargo division agreed in July last year to purchase up to six million gallons of Shell Aviation’s aviation fuel, which is sustainable. Shell itself is aiming to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner.
