QAZAQ GREEN.  Microsoft announced it met its 2025 renewable energy goal — first set in 2020 — of purchasing enough renewable energy to match 100% of electricity used by all its datacenters, buildings and campuses.

The company has contracted to add 40 gigawatts of renewable energy to the grid, of which 19 gigawatts are now online. Microsoft and other corporate renewable energy buyers use long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) typically spanning 10 to 15 years, enabling developers to build new power plants with predictable returns.

Meeting Microsoft's renewable energy targets required different strategies tailored to local geographies, community needs and regulatory frameworks. Here are six companies across the globe that helped Microsoft meet its commitment.

Sol Systems: Dual-use solar farms and community investment

In the rural farming town of Eldorado, Illinois, an unusual energy farm operates: hardy grain grows in neat rows underneath a huge array of solar panels generating 270 megawatts of power at peak sunlight.

An agreement between Sol Systems and Microsoft is expected to add over 500 megawatts of solar energy to the grid from sites in Illinois, Ohio and Texas. It includes an innovative investment fund expected to reach $50 million over 20 years to benefit local communities.

In Eldorado, this includes educational initiatives ranging from a virtual reality welding simulator to a state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse at the local high school. Two other dual-use solar projects under the Sol Systems-Microsoft agreement in Illinois feature grazing sheep and sustainable land management initiatives.

"From the beginning, our goal with Microsoft was to show what's possible when energy buyers and developers work hand-in-hand with local communities," said Yuri Horwitz, chief executive of Sol Systems.

Brookfield: Bringing hydroelectric power to the grid at scale

The Hawk's Nest hydroelectric plant in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia, first began generating electricity in 1936. Historically, it powered a nearby industrial facility and was never connected to the broader grid.

Plant owner Brookfield is modernizing the facility and for the first time delivering a portion of its power into the local utility grid. "With the benefit of our offtake agreement with Microsoft, we've made major investments over the last five years to ensure that an asset that's been around for nearly 100 years will continue for the next 100 years," said Stephen Gallagher, CEO of North American operations for Brookfield's renewable group.

The West Virginia facility is one of many projects Brookfield is developing as part of an agreement with Microsoft to deliver over 10.5 gigawatts of renewable power capacity.

Auren Energia: Women-run wind farm in Brazil

A wind farm in Brazil owned and operated by Auren Energia is managed by an all-women team — a rarity in the male-dominated power generation industry.

As part of a power purchase agreement signed in 2023, Microsoft purchases renewable energy from the 154-megawatt Cajuina wind complex. "As you can imagine, power generation is mostly operated by males so it's very different and something we are very proud of," said Eduardo De Oliveira Diniz, director of trading and clients at Auren Energia.

FRV Australia: The importance of knowing your neighbors

After construction staff at the Walla Walla solar facility in New South Wales, Australia, finished unpacking tens of thousands of solar panels, they offered empty wood pallets to a local nonprofit group. The group recycled the frames into handmade toys sold to benefit local charities.

"It may sound silly, but it made a big impact," said Michael Steiner, chief business development officer at FRV Australia.

The 300-megawatt Walla Walla solar facility covers 605 hectares and will produce enough solar energy to power more than 90,000 New South Wales homes annually.

ENGIE: Repowering wind farms doubles capacity

A wind farm in the historical town of Fitou in southern France is generating twice as much renewable energy following a repowering supported by an agreement between Microsoft and ENGIE.

The makeover after 22 years of operation involved carefully dismantling foundations, turbines and blades and replacing them with more powerful and efficient parts. The process, known as "repowering," helps increase energy production without occupying additional land.

The updated wind farm includes sensors that automatically slow down blades when birds are detected nearby.

ENGIE and Microsoft have built a long-term strategic collaboration centered on renewable PPAs. Together, the companies have enabled the development of 26 renewable energy projects in France and seven in Germany, representing 416 megawatts of capacity currently online.

EDP Renewables North America: Providing reliable power and income

Microsoft has contracted with EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA) to bring 675 megawatts of solar and wind energy online — enough electricity to power more than 150,000 U.S. homes.

The Cattlemen Solar II project in Milam County north of Austin, Texas, is expected to generate more than $41 million in revenue over the project's lifetime to local governments and over $50 million in payments to landowners.

"As energy demand rises across the country, these agreements support investment in domestic energy infrastructure while delivering long-term value for customers, communities and the broader economy," said Kelly Snyder, executive vice president of origination for EDPR NA.