• Microsoft is reportedly considering delaying or abandoning its 2030 hourly clean-power target
• A shift away from hourly matching would reshape how hyperscalers procure clean power for expanding data-centre fleets
The fact
Microsoft is considering whether to delay or abandon its 2030 hourly clean-power target, Bloomberg reported. Known as 100/100/0, the pledge requires zero-carbon energy purchases to match the company’s electricity use on the same grid and in the same hour. Talks are continuing and no decision has been made. Bloomberg also reported that Microsoft is adding about 1GW of data-centre capacity every three months. A company spokesperson referred to its annual renewable-energy goal but did not address the hourly pledge.
Microsoft said in February that it had matched its annual global electricity use with renewable energy and contracted 40GW of capacity across 26 countries. The annual goal balances consumption and purchases over a year; 100/100/0 also requires them to match by grid and by hour. Microsoft still lists the 2030 commitment on its data-centre sustainability site.
The assessment
Annual renewable contracts can balance Microsoft’s total electricity use over a year. The hourly pledge is more demanding because purchases made in another region or at another time cannot cover a shortfall on the grid serving a facility. For BTW readers, meeting that requirement may involve local clean generation, storage or another source of firm zero-carbon power during periods of low wind and solar output. Microsoft has not said the pledge has delayed any project, and no decision to change it has been made.
A move to annual matching alone would let Microsoft count renewable purchases made elsewhere or at another time, even when zero-carbon power is unavailable on the grid serving a facility in that hour.
What to watch
Microsoft still lists 100/100/0 as a 2030 commitment. A later deadline, narrower scope or removal of the same-grid and hourly requirements would confirm a change. If the target remains, power contracts or disclosures showing how Microsoft plans to cover periods of low wind and solar output would show how it intends to meet the pledge.