Microsoft inks its first renewable energy deal in India

Microsoft today announced that it has inked its first renewable energy deal in India. Under the terms of the deal, Microsoft says it will purchase three megawatts of solar-powered electricity to cover 80 percent of the projected energy needs at its new Bangalore office building.

"Investing in local solar energy to help power our new Bangalore office building is good for Microsoft, good for India and good for the environment," said Anant Maheshwari, president, Microsoft India. "We are proud to be deepening our long history of partnership and investment in India with this agreement. This deal will help us grow sustainably and supports the growth of the Indian solar energy industry, so that the entire country can more easily and reliably access clean electricity."

While the deal is Microsoft's first in India, it's also one of the first in Asia. Last week, the company also announced a 20-year agreement in Singapore that will see it purchase 100 percent of the renewable output from a 60MW Sunseap Group solar project.

Microsoft says its ultimate goal is to rely on wind, solar, and hydropower electricity for at least 50 percent of its global energy needs by the end of 2018. Once the new project in India is completed, the company says its total global direct procurement of renewable energy projects will reach nearly 900 megawatts.