Microsoft has committed to continuing its policy of matching all electricity consumption with renewable energy purchases, after achieving that milestone for the first time in 2025. The move comes as the company rapidly expands its AI infrastructure, which depends heavily on energy-intensive data centres.
The tech giant secured 40 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity through long-term agreements, supporting the development of new clean energy projects across 26 countries. Around 19 gigawatts are already connected to the grid, with the remainder expected to come online within five years.
Company leaders emphasized that maintaining full renewable coverage will remain a priority as demand grows. Carbon-free sources such as nuclear energy are also expected to complement renewable supply, helping Microsoft pursue its broader goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030.
Separately, the company confirmed plans to invest up to $50 billion by the end of the decade to expand AI infrastructure across emerging markets. Much of this funding will support new cloud and data centre developments.
In Ireland, where data centres accounted for 22% of national electricity use in 2024, recent regulatory changes are expected to unlock previously delayed projects. Microsoft is preparing to advance its data centre campus expansion near Dublin once new rules requiring facilities to meet most of their energy demand with additional renewable power take effect.
