Bill Gates Buys $645 Million Dollar Hydrogen-Powered Yacht

Bill Gates is betting big on environment-friendly technology. The Microsoft Chairman just bought a $645 million yacht that will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

The Yacht, Sinot Aqua, is a superyacht that is equipped with all kinds of facilities including a swimming pool, a hydro-massage parlor, and a gym. The boat measures 370 feet and is powered by two 1 megawatt supercooled hydrogen tanks.

It has five decks, can accommodate 14 guests and 31 crew members.

“In the design and development of AQUA, our team derived inspiration from owners’ lifestyles, the fluid versatility of water and cutting-edge technology, combining all of this in a 112m superyacht with truly innovative features. Onboard, the interrelated requirement for privacy and space has been addressed with an extraordinarily large owner’s pavilion. To accentuate the link with the water, much thought has been devoted to making the ocean as accessible and visible as possible,” Sinot, the company that has designed the yacht, made for the super-rich, states on its website.

The yacht is extremely environmentally friendly – instead of using coal or wood to heat the cabins, it uses gel-based fire bowls.

Despite being powered by hydrogen fuel cells, it can move at a top speed of 17 knots (19.6 miles per hour), the cells have a range of 3,750 miles, which seems enough for cross-ocean travel.

The yacht will not set sail anytime soon. It is expected to be delivered to Gates in 2024.

Gates, 64, is one of the world’s richest men and has a massive $118 billion fortune to his name. He has a fondness for superyachts and has rented them many times in the past. He has sailed off the coast of Sardinia.

The yacht combines two of his interests – alternative fuels and yachts. He has previously invested in Heliogen, a California-based start-up, which aims to turn sunlight into 1000-degree heat, which could replace fossil fuels.