Google Expands U.S. Data Centers with Major Clean Energy Deals in Minnesota and Texas
Google has signed major agreements with Xcel Energy and AES Corp to power new data centers in Minnesota and Texas using clean energy.
In Minnesota, Xcel Energy will supply electricity to Google’s Pine Island facility under an Electric Service Agreement designed to protect existing customers from increased costs. The project includes 1,400 MW of wind, 200 MW of solar, and 300 MW of long-duration energy storage via a 30 GWh iron-air battery, the largest of its kind globally. The agreement also provides $50 million for grid reliability improvements through Xcel’s Capacity*Connect Program.
Meanwhile, in Texas, AES Corp will supply power to Google’s new Wilbarger County data center through 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs). AES will build and operate co-located clean energy generation facilities, along with shared electricity infrastructure and energy management services for the campus.
Both deals support Google’s goal of expanding its cloud and AI services while advancing renewable energy targets. The Minnesota project is pending approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, while the Texas agreements follow AES’s ongoing portfolio of nearly 12 GW of energy deals with data center clients, including hyperscalers.
These initiatives reflect the growing role of clean energy in powering large-scale tech infrastructure in the United States and highlight the integration of long-duration energy storage to improve grid reliability.
Source: xcelenergy.com, renewablesnow.com