Microsoft in Talks to Ax Energy Pledge Amid Data Center Boom (2)

Microsoft Corp. is in discussions to shelve one of the industry’s most ambitious clean-energy targets as it tries to remove hurdles that could hold it back in the race to power data centers, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The company is weighing whether to delay — or even abandon altogether — its 2030 target of matching 100% of its hourly electricity use with renewable energy purchases, according to the people, who requested anonymity to discuss a private matter.

The costly and energy-intensive build-out of data centers is affecting views on the feasibility of climate commitments made before ...