Microsoft Weighs Dropping 2030 Clean Energy Target as AI Data Centers Surge Power Demand; MSFT -1.3%

Microsoft is considering delaying or abandoning its 2030 '100/100/0' pledge to match 100% of hourly data center electricity with zero-carbon sources, per Bloomberg, as AI expansion adds ~1 GW capacity every three months amid a $190B spending outlook. This caps a busy May 5 with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma overhauling leadership—hiring four CoreAI executives after four quarters of gaming revenue declines and April Game Pass price cuts—plus a voluntary buyout for older staff to trim costs. No final decision on energy target; shares fell 1.3% to near $409 on ESG and restructuring concerns.