Apple is expanding its renewable energy footprint across Europe, a move that aligns with its ‘Apple 2030’ vision of achieving carbon neutrality. The tech giant is developing solar and wind farms in Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, and Romania, aiming to add 650MW of renewable energy capacity to European electrical grids. By 2030, these projects are expected to generate over one million megawatt hours of clean electricity for Apple users, with a newly operational solar array in Spain contributing to this effort.
Apple’s investment in these initiatives is anticipated to unlock over $600 million in financing. Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice-president of environment, policy, and social initiatives, stated, “By 2030, we want our users to know that all the energy it takes to charge their iPhone or power their Mac is matched with clean electricity. Our new projects in Europe will help us achieve our ambitious Apple 2030 goal, while contributing to healthy communities, thriving economies, and secure energy sources across the continent.”
In 2024, the energy required to charge and operate Apple devices accounted for approximately 29% of the company’s total greenhouse gas emissions. To address these emissions, Apple supports renewable energy initiatives that optimize its impact on global power grids, aiming to reduce carbon emissions associated with charging and powering Apple devices. The company’s strategy considers the locations where its products are used and prioritizes projects in grids with higher carbon intensity.
Apple is spearheading the development of major projects across Europe, contributing approximately 3,000GWh of renewable energy annually to the grid by 2030. The company has entered into a long-term contract to source electricity from a 110MW solar project in Greece. It is also backing a 129MW portfolio of wind and solar initiatives in Italy, along with a 40MW solar installation in Poland. Furthermore, Apple intends to acquire power from Nala Renewables’ 99MW wind farm located in Galati County, Romania, and has finalized a power purchase agreement for electricity from a 110MW solar farm located in Latvia.
Beyond its investments in product usage, Apple and its suppliers are backing more than 19GW of renewable energy to power the company’s worldwide corporate operations and manufacturing supply chain.
This strategic move by Apple could significantly influence the renewable energy sector in Europe. By investing heavily in solar and wind projects, Apple is not only working towards its own carbon neutrality goals but also contributing to the broader European energy transition. The company’s focus on grids with higher carbon intensity highlights a targeted approach to reducing emissions where they are most impactful. This could set a precedent for other tech giants and corporations to follow suit, potentially accelerating the adoption of renewable energy sources across the continent. Additionally, the substantial financing unlocked by Apple’s investments could stimulate further growth and innovation in the European renewable energy market.