Apple Inc. Soon to Offset the Energy Used to Make Every iPhone With Renewables

 

Apple’s been pushing its shift to renewable electricity for a little while, but its latest plan is pretty ambitious: it’s working with Foxconn to ensure it generates as much clean energy as it takes to put the iPhone together.

In an announcement made this morning, Apple explains that it’s working with partners in China to roll out solar, wind and hydropower systems that will generate an incredible 2 gigawatts of power by 2020.

 As part of that, Apple and Foxconn have committed to building out 400 megawatts of solar infrastructure that will offset the energy that’s used to manufacture the iPhone in Zhengzhou. That’s a bold but respectable plan.

Apple also notes that its current solar projects in the Sichuan Province already produce more energy than its offices and stores in China use. But frankly that’s small fry compared to the energy demand of its production plants.

Of course, that such a move is only realistic because of Apple’s huge clout; other manufacturers will struggle to make such large-scale commitments to clean energy. It’s a shame, because China still has a long way to go before its energy production stops it from being the most polluting country in the world.

Credit: Gizmodo