YURI HORWITZ
SUSTAINABILITY
Microsoft’ s global approach to renewable procurement In the United States, Microsoft’ s agreement with Sol Systems exemplifies a localised model for shared value. The collaboration is expected to add over 500MW of solar energy to the grid from projects in Illinois, Ohio and Texas, alongside a US $ 50m community investment fund. Yuri Horwitz, CEO of Sol Systems, says:“ From the beginning, our goal with Microsoft was to show what’ s possible when energy buyers and developers work hand-in-hand with local communities.
“ These projects are designed to produce power but, just as importantly, to create opportunity, trust and lasting value in the places where they’ re built.”
Microsoft’ s procurement activity also revives ageing infrastructure. In West Virginia, a PPA with Brookfield Renewable is modernising the historic
YURI HORWITZ
TITLE: CEO COMPANY: SOL SYSTEMS FOUNDED: 2008
Yuri Horwitz founded Sol Systems in 2008. As CEO, he drives clean energy investments and community impact, managing more than 4GW of solar infrastructure for clients across the United States.
Hawk’ s Nest hydroelectric plant, returning it to grid service with longterm operational investment.
Stephen Gallagher, CEO of Brookfield Renewable North America, says:“ With the benefit of our offtake agreement with Microsoft, we’ ve made major investments over the last five years to ensure that an asset that’ s been around for nearly 100 years will continue for the next 100 years.”
From the Fitou wind farm in France to solar projects in Australia, many of Microsoft’ s PPAs incorporate community engagement as a procurement principle – supporting local schools, training initiatives and biodiversity preservation. Discussing a 15-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft to provide renewable energy from Walla Walla solar facility, Michael Steiner, CEO at Fotowatio Renewable Ventures( FRV) – Australia and New Zealand, remarks that success begins with community trust.
“ We need to create this trust and engagement from day one on every project that we do,” says Michael.“ If you don’ t, you will not get anywhere, and your project probably will fail before you even start building.”
This distributed approach creates new energy capacity where demand is growing and ensures the resilience of supply for Microsoft’ s expanding global data centre footprint. It also signals a maturing procurement model that prioritises availability, locality and long-term partnership.
56 May 2026