Facebook Releases U.S. Renewables Impact Study

RTI International Finds Renewable Energy Efforts Significantly Contributes to Local Economies, Power Grid

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – A new study for Facebook, conducted by RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, found that the renewable projects supporting Facebook’s U.S. offices and data centers provide significant contributions to local economies. The study found that: 

• Facebook’s renewable energy procurement, to date, has resulted in 55 new utility-scale solar and wind projects across 18 states, adding 5,763 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity to the U.S. grid. 
• These renewable energy projects will result in an estimated $3.1 billion to U.S. suppliers in development capital expenditures, generating both short-term economic impacts during construction and installation and ongoing benefits from annual operations and on-site maintenance. 
• During construction (2014–2022), these projects will have supported over 40,000 jobs and $4.2 billion in GDP throughout the U.S. economy. 

Facebook’s global operations, including its U.S. data center fleet are supported by 100 percent renewable energy, and Facebook is on track to maintain this commitment for future data center developments and expansions.

“Facebook has created a model for clean energy-based development through its investments and partnerships with local stakeholders over the last decade,” said Sara VanLear, project director at RTI who oversaw the project. “The company’s impact can be seen both through the economic results, such as jobs associated to Facebook-supported renewables, and through the change in renewable energy accessibility in regions across the country.”

Facebook’s renewable energy commitment is a key component of the company’s broader sustainability efforts, including its sustainable data center design and net-zero carbon emissions goal. This report provides evidence that Facebook’s renewable energy commitments have had economic impacts while advancing renewable energy capacity in the U.S.

“We are proud that our commitment to renewable energy has brought additional investment and benefits to communities in the U.S. We appreciate the partnership of numerous utilities, developers and community members who are helping us bring nearly six gigawatts of new wind and solar energy to the grid, supporting over 40,000 jobs in the U.S.,” said Urvi Parekh, head of renewable energy at Facebook. “It is clear that renewable energy is not only good for the environment, but creates opportunities for businesses, people and communities.”

Read the full report here.

To learn more please contact news@rti.org