Web shopping giant Amazon announced backing for 329MW of new renewable energy as its global total closes in on 2GW.

Amazon said new solar projects will advance in Illinois and Virginia in the US, and in Spain, to supply power to its supply network and Amazon Web Services data centres.

Amazon is among a clutch of global technology giants that has championed the offtake of renewable power, either through PPAs or direct investments in projects.

A Google executive recently said tech companies were in a type of “arms race” to buy renewable power.

The RE100 group of companies pushing for 100% renewable energy this week called on governments to lower barriers to procurement of wind and solar power by corporations.