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Give your Mac Microsoft’s best tools for under each

Give your Mac Microsoft’s best tools for under $10 each

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TL;DR: Give your Mac a boost with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license, on sale now for just $49.97 (reg. $219).

No room in the budget for a new computer? You can give your current one a boost with a Microsoft Office license, and if you think that doesn’t apply to Macs, think again. This Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 license outfits your Apple device with six helpful apps, and right now, you can get them all for life for just $49.97 (reg. $219).

Mac users don’t have to miss out on the power of Microsoft Office. This suite of helpful apps includes the classics that have been around for decades and can bring a productivity boost to any device — even Apple computers — thanks to this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 license.

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Whether you primarily use your computer for work, school, or personal reasons, Microsoft Office has something for everyone. Draft your document in Word, figure out a budget in Excel, or whip up a captivating presentation in PowerPoint. You can also manage your emails in Outlook, talk to coworkers in Teams, and take digital notes in OneNote.

With this lifetime license, you never have to bother with subscription fees again. Your purchase gives you a direct download, so you’ll have these tools on your device permanently. You won’t have to worry about cloud connectivity, and you can work offline as you please — just make sure your Mac is running macOS 14 or later.

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Get more done with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license, now just $49.97 (reg. $219).

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Today’s Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you’re always on the move.

If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 7, 2026

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 7, 2026

Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:

To move.

Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…

Today’s Wordle starts with the letter B.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL.

The Wordle answer today is…

Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today’s Wordle is…

BUDGE

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.

#Wordle #today #answer #hints">Wordle today: The answer and hints for May 7, 2026 Today’s Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you’re always on the move.If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 7, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.What’s the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers. Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though. SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 7, 2026 Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:To move. Mashable Top Stories Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…Today’s Wordle starts with the letter B. SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is…Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.Drumroll please!The solution to today’s Wordle is…BUDGEDon’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle. #Wordle #today #answer #hints

Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you’re always on the move.

If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 7, 2026

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 7, 2026

Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:

To move.

Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…

Today’s Wordle starts with the letter B.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL.

The Wordle answer today is…

Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today’s Wordle is…

BUDGE

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.

#Wordle #today #answer #hints">Wordle today: The answer and hints for May 7, 2026

Today’s Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you’re always on the move.

If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 7, 2026

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 7, 2026

Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:

To move.

Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…

Today’s Wordle starts with the letter B.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL.

The Wordle answer today is…

Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today’s Wordle is…

BUDGE

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.

#Wordle #today #answer #hints

Nintendo says that it’s “based” on the classic space shooter Star Fox 64, but with redesigned characters and upgraded visuals. Essentially, it sounds like a modern remake of the game with the same level design. Based on the first look at the game, it looks thoroughly modern, with incredibly detailed characters, including a surprisingly realistic Slippy Toad. And yes, the in-ship banter remains. In addition to flying ships, there will be a handful of other vehicles to pilot, including a submarine.

The Star Fox reboot also includes some new features, like online play for its new four-on-four dogfighting multiplayer battle mode, and the option to play with mouse controls. Perhaps the most surprising addition is the realistic character avatars that players can use during online play. Nintendo describes the features as an “interactive avatar that mirrors your expressions and movements in GameChat.” But if you’re looking for an old-school feel, the game does support the N64 controller.

The game will cost $49.99 digitally, according to Nintendo’s eShop listing. The physical price is expected to be different; Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, for example, has a $10 price difference between digital and physical.

You can watch the full Star Fox presentation, which lasts about 15 minutes, here:

The announcement comes as Nintendo has a relatively sparse lineup for the Switch 2 for the rest of 2026. Outside of Star Fox, the only first-party titles on the schedule are Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Rhythm Heaven Groove, Splatoon Raiders, and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave.

Update May 6th: Added the digital price.

#Nintendo #announces #Star #Fox #SwitchEntertainment,Gaming,Nintendo">Nintendo announces a new Star Fox for the Switch 2It turns out Fox McCloud’s appearance in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie was a tease of things to come: Nintendo just surprise announced the first new Star Fox game in a decade. The game is called, simply, Star Fox, and it’s out very soon, launching on June 25th.Nintendo says that it’s “based” on the classic space shooter Star Fox 64, but with redesigned characters and upgraded visuals. Essentially, it sounds like a modern remake of the game with the same level design. Based on the first look at the game, it looks thoroughly modern, with incredibly detailed characters, including a surprisingly realistic Slippy Toad. And yes, the in-ship banter remains. In addition to flying ships, there will be a handful of other vehicles to pilot, including a submarine.The Star Fox reboot also includes some new features, like online play for its new four-on-four dogfighting multiplayer battle mode, and the option to play with mouse controls. Perhaps the most surprising addition is the realistic character avatars that players can use during online play. Nintendo describes the features as an “interactive avatar that mirrors your expressions and movements in GameChat.” But if you’re looking for an old-school feel, the game does support the N64 controller.The game will cost .99 digitally, according to Nintendo’s eShop listing. The physical price is expected to be different; Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, for example, has a price difference between digital and physical.You can watch the full Star Fox presentation, which lasts about 15 minutes, here:The announcement comes as Nintendo has a relatively sparse lineup for the Switch 2 for the rest of 2026. Outside of Star Fox, the only first-party titles on the schedule are Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Rhythm Heaven Groove, Splatoon Raiders, and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave.Update May 6th: Added the digital price.#Nintendo #announces #Star #Fox #SwitchEntertainment,Gaming,Nintendo

Super Mario Galaxy Movie was a tease of things to come: Nintendo just surprise announced the first new Star Fox game in a decade. The game is called, simply, Star Fox, and it’s out very soon, launching on June 25th.

Nintendo says that it’s “based” on the classic space shooter Star Fox 64, but with redesigned characters and upgraded visuals. Essentially, it sounds like a modern remake of the game with the same level design. Based on the first look at the game, it looks thoroughly modern, with incredibly detailed characters, including a surprisingly realistic Slippy Toad. And yes, the in-ship banter remains. In addition to flying ships, there will be a handful of other vehicles to pilot, including a submarine.

The Star Fox reboot also includes some new features, like online play for its new four-on-four dogfighting multiplayer battle mode, and the option to play with mouse controls. Perhaps the most surprising addition is the realistic character avatars that players can use during online play. Nintendo describes the features as an “interactive avatar that mirrors your expressions and movements in GameChat.” But if you’re looking for an old-school feel, the game does support the N64 controller.

The game will cost $49.99 digitally, according to Nintendo’s eShop listing. The physical price is expected to be different; Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, for example, has a $10 price difference between digital and physical.

You can watch the full Star Fox presentation, which lasts about 15 minutes, here:

The announcement comes as Nintendo has a relatively sparse lineup for the Switch 2 for the rest of 2026. Outside of Star Fox, the only first-party titles on the schedule are Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Rhythm Heaven Groove, Splatoon Raiders, and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave.

Update May 6th: Added the digital price.

#Nintendo #announces #Star #Fox #SwitchEntertainment,Gaming,Nintendo">Nintendo announces a new Star Fox for the Switch 2

It turns out Fox McCloud’s appearance in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie was a tease of things to come: Nintendo just surprise announced the first new Star Fox game in a decade. The game is called, simply, Star Fox, and it’s out very soon, launching on June 25th.

Nintendo says that it’s “based” on the classic space shooter Star Fox 64, but with redesigned characters and upgraded visuals. Essentially, it sounds like a modern remake of the game with the same level design. Based on the first look at the game, it looks thoroughly modern, with incredibly detailed characters, including a surprisingly realistic Slippy Toad. And yes, the in-ship banter remains. In addition to flying ships, there will be a handful of other vehicles to pilot, including a submarine.

The Star Fox reboot also includes some new features, like online play for its new four-on-four dogfighting multiplayer battle mode, and the option to play with mouse controls. Perhaps the most surprising addition is the realistic character avatars that players can use during online play. Nintendo describes the features as an “interactive avatar that mirrors your expressions and movements in GameChat.” But if you’re looking for an old-school feel, the game does support the N64 controller.

The game will cost $49.99 digitally, according to Nintendo’s eShop listing. The physical price is expected to be different; Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, for example, has a $10 price difference between digital and physical.

You can watch the full Star Fox presentation, which lasts about 15 minutes, here:

The announcement comes as Nintendo has a relatively sparse lineup for the Switch 2 for the rest of 2026. Outside of Star Fox, the only first-party titles on the schedule are Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Rhythm Heaven Groove, Splatoon Raiders, and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave.

Update May 6th: Added the digital price.

#Nintendo #announces #Star #Fox #SwitchEntertainment,Gaming,Nintendo
Microsoft is weighing whether to delay or scale back one of its most ambitious clean energy goals as its rapid buildout of AI data centers puts pressure on its ability to meet those targets. Microsoft has yet to make any public announcements, but according to Bloomberg the company is having internal discussions over its hourly clean energy matching goal.

The tech company has said that by 2030 it intends to match 100% of its hourly energy use with clean power on the same grid. But Microsoft’s rush to build AI data centers has apparently sparked debate within the company about whether the pledge has become an impediment to its ambitions.

Microsoft declined to comment on the internal debate over the hourly matching goal. Instead, a spokesperson told TechCrunch the company continues “to look for opportunities to maintain our annual matching goal.”

Hourly targets like the kind Microsoft has set for itself are more rigorous than annual targets. Because the grid is a balanced system — the supply and demand of electrons needs to be matched on a near-instantaneous basis — hourly matching helps develop clean energy sources that more closely align with a company’s usage patterns.

Annual targets are more lenient. They are effectively accounting tricks that could, for example, let a company buy more solar power than it might use at midday. Other customers on the grid use that energy, but the company that paid for the solar panels gets to claim the renewable power they make. It’s a tidy arrangement that has sped the deployment of wind, solar, and batteries. But on its own, annual targets won’t eliminate fossil fuels entirely. Hourly targets help foster renewable development that more closely mimics how a true net-zero world would be powered.

Big tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Apple have generally led on emissions reductions, setting aggressive net-zero targets. Many have eliminated their carbon emissions on an annual basis. Microsoft, for instance, said it met that goal last year.

But as data centers grow in size and number, those same companies are turning to natural gas. Microsoft is included in that list; last month, the company said it was working with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to build a massive natural gas power plant in West Texas that could eventually generate up to 5 gigawatts. 

Techcrunch event

San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026

Despite the West Texas project, Microsoft is widely viewed as a leader among tech companies pursuing net zero emissions. By 2030, Microsoft intends to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than its operations produce.

Part of the company’s renewable push has been driven by an internal carbon tax. The Microsoft spokesperson did not reply to questions about the company’s carbon tax. If it remains in place, some of the internal debate surrounding hourly matching might revolve around a cost-benefit analysis of the shift.

If Microsoft were to abandon its hourly-matching target, the company would also lose some leverage in efforts to sell the public on its on its data centers. 

As data centers have proliferated, the general public has begun to push back against them, citing concerns over pollution, power prices, and water use. When Microsoft brings its own clean power to a project, it can plausibly say it has addressed two of those concerns. Without it, new data centers might be harder to sell to the public.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Microsofts #data #center #push #colliding #clean #power #goals #TechCrunchdata centers,Microsoft,net zero,renewable energy">Microsoft’s AI data center push is colliding with its clean power goals | TechCrunch Microsoft is weighing whether to delay or scale back one of its most ambitious clean energy goals as its rapid buildout of AI data centers puts pressure on its ability to meet those targets. Microsoft has yet to make any public announcements, but according to Bloomberg the company is having internal discussions over its hourly clean energy matching goal. The tech company has said that by 2030 it intends to match 100% of its hourly energy use with clean power on the same grid. But Microsoft’s rush to build AI data centers has apparently sparked debate within the company about whether the pledge has become an impediment to its ambitions. Microsoft declined to comment on the internal debate over the hourly matching goal. Instead, a spokesperson told TechCrunch the company continues “to look for opportunities to maintain our annual matching goal.” Hourly targets like the kind Microsoft has set for itself are more rigorous than annual targets. Because the grid is a balanced system — the supply and demand of electrons needs to be matched on a near-instantaneous basis — hourly matching helps develop clean energy sources that more closely align with a company’s usage patterns. Annual targets are more lenient. They are effectively accounting tricks that could, for example, let a company buy more solar power than it might use at midday. Other customers on the grid use that energy, but the company that paid for the solar panels gets to claim the renewable power they make. It’s a tidy arrangement that has sped the deployment of wind, solar, and batteries. But on its own, annual targets won’t eliminate fossil fuels entirely. Hourly targets help foster renewable development that more closely mimics how a true net-zero world would be powered. Big tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Apple have generally led on emissions reductions, setting aggressive net-zero targets. Many have eliminated their carbon emissions on an annual basis. Microsoft, for instance, said it met that goal last year. But as data centers grow in size and number, those same companies are turning to natural gas. Microsoft is included in that list; last month, the company said it was working with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to build a massive natural gas power plant in West Texas that could eventually generate up to 5 gigawatts.  Techcrunch event San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026 Despite the West Texas project, Microsoft is widely viewed as a leader among tech companies pursuing net zero emissions. By 2030, Microsoft intends to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than its operations produce. Part of the company’s renewable push has been driven by an internal carbon tax. The Microsoft spokesperson did not reply to questions about the company’s carbon tax. If it remains in place, some of the internal debate surrounding hourly matching might revolve around a cost-benefit analysis of the shift. If Microsoft were to abandon its hourly-matching target, the company would also lose some leverage in efforts to sell the public on its on its data centers.  As data centers have proliferated, the general public has begun to push back against them, citing concerns over pollution, power prices, and water use. When Microsoft brings its own clean power to a project, it can plausibly say it has addressed two of those concerns. Without it, new data centers might be harder to sell to the public. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#Microsofts #data #center #push #colliding #clean #power #goals #TechCrunchdata centers,Microsoft,net zero,renewable energy

according to Bloomberg the company is having internal discussions over its hourly clean energy matching goal.

The tech company has said that by 2030 it intends to match 100% of its hourly energy use with clean power on the same grid. But Microsoft’s rush to build AI data centers has apparently sparked debate within the company about whether the pledge has become an impediment to its ambitions.

Microsoft declined to comment on the internal debate over the hourly matching goal. Instead, a spokesperson told TechCrunch the company continues “to look for opportunities to maintain our annual matching goal.”

Hourly targets like the kind Microsoft has set for itself are more rigorous than annual targets. Because the grid is a balanced system — the supply and demand of electrons needs to be matched on a near-instantaneous basis — hourly matching helps develop clean energy sources that more closely align with a company’s usage patterns.

Annual targets are more lenient. They are effectively accounting tricks that could, for example, let a company buy more solar power than it might use at midday. Other customers on the grid use that energy, but the company that paid for the solar panels gets to claim the renewable power they make. It’s a tidy arrangement that has sped the deployment of wind, solar, and batteries. But on its own, annual targets won’t eliminate fossil fuels entirely. Hourly targets help foster renewable development that more closely mimics how a true net-zero world would be powered.

Big tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Apple have generally led on emissions reductions, setting aggressive net-zero targets. Many have eliminated their carbon emissions on an annual basis. Microsoft, for instance, said it met that goal last year.

But as data centers grow in size and number, those same companies are turning to natural gas. Microsoft is included in that list; last month, the company said it was working with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to build a massive natural gas power plant in West Texas that could eventually generate up to 5 gigawatts. 

Techcrunch event

San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026

Despite the West Texas project, Microsoft is widely viewed as a leader among tech companies pursuing net zero emissions. By 2030, Microsoft intends to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than its operations produce.

Part of the company’s renewable push has been driven by an internal carbon tax. The Microsoft spokesperson did not reply to questions about the company’s carbon tax. If it remains in place, some of the internal debate surrounding hourly matching might revolve around a cost-benefit analysis of the shift.

If Microsoft were to abandon its hourly-matching target, the company would also lose some leverage in efforts to sell the public on its on its data centers. 

As data centers have proliferated, the general public has begun to push back against them, citing concerns over pollution, power prices, and water use. When Microsoft brings its own clean power to a project, it can plausibly say it has addressed two of those concerns. Without it, new data centers might be harder to sell to the public.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Microsofts #data #center #push #colliding #clean #power #goals #TechCrunchdata centers,Microsoft,net zero,renewable energy">Microsoft’s AI data center push is colliding with its clean power goals | TechCrunch

Microsoft is weighing whether to delay or scale back one of its most ambitious clean energy goals as its rapid buildout of AI data centers puts pressure on its ability to meet those targets. Microsoft has yet to make any public announcements, but according to Bloomberg the company is having internal discussions over its hourly clean energy matching goal.

The tech company has said that by 2030 it intends to match 100% of its hourly energy use with clean power on the same grid. But Microsoft’s rush to build AI data centers has apparently sparked debate within the company about whether the pledge has become an impediment to its ambitions.

Microsoft declined to comment on the internal debate over the hourly matching goal. Instead, a spokesperson told TechCrunch the company continues “to look for opportunities to maintain our annual matching goal.”

Hourly targets like the kind Microsoft has set for itself are more rigorous than annual targets. Because the grid is a balanced system — the supply and demand of electrons needs to be matched on a near-instantaneous basis — hourly matching helps develop clean energy sources that more closely align with a company’s usage patterns.

Annual targets are more lenient. They are effectively accounting tricks that could, for example, let a company buy more solar power than it might use at midday. Other customers on the grid use that energy, but the company that paid for the solar panels gets to claim the renewable power they make. It’s a tidy arrangement that has sped the deployment of wind, solar, and batteries. But on its own, annual targets won’t eliminate fossil fuels entirely. Hourly targets help foster renewable development that more closely mimics how a true net-zero world would be powered.

Big tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Apple have generally led on emissions reductions, setting aggressive net-zero targets. Many have eliminated their carbon emissions on an annual basis. Microsoft, for instance, said it met that goal last year.

But as data centers grow in size and number, those same companies are turning to natural gas. Microsoft is included in that list; last month, the company said it was working with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to build a massive natural gas power plant in West Texas that could eventually generate up to 5 gigawatts. 

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Despite the West Texas project, Microsoft is widely viewed as a leader among tech companies pursuing net zero emissions. By 2030, Microsoft intends to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than its operations produce.

Part of the company’s renewable push has been driven by an internal carbon tax. The Microsoft spokesperson did not reply to questions about the company’s carbon tax. If it remains in place, some of the internal debate surrounding hourly matching might revolve around a cost-benefit analysis of the shift.

If Microsoft were to abandon its hourly-matching target, the company would also lose some leverage in efforts to sell the public on its on its data centers. 

As data centers have proliferated, the general public has begun to push back against them, citing concerns over pollution, power prices, and water use. When Microsoft brings its own clean power to a project, it can plausibly say it has addressed two of those concerns. Without it, new data centers might be harder to sell to the public.

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