NextEra Energy has announced partnerships with Google, Meta, Exxon Mobil, and other companies to build infrastructure supporting the growing artificial intelligence industry, targeting 15 gigawatts of new power generation by 2035 to supply at least 20 data center hubs. CEO John Ketchum noted that this figure is “fairly conservative” and could double as the company identifies additional sites.

The projects will rely on a mix of gas, renewables, nuclear, and storage. Notably, NextEra and Exxon Mobil plan a 1.2-gigawatt gas plant with carbon capture in the Southeast, while a 1,450-megawatt gas project in North Dakota, the River Run Energy Center, is in development with Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Gas-fired generation is expected to play a key role in these “build-your-own-generation” (BYOG) initiatives, which allow tech companies to directly fund power infrastructure at their data centers.

At the same time, NextEra and Meta signed power purchase agreements for nine solar projects totaling 2.5 gigawatts, supporting low-carbon energy deployment. Overall, the company’s current generation mix is roughly 57% renewables, 34% gas, and 8% nuclear, with plans to expand gas capacity by 4–8 gigawatts by 2032.

The announcement highlights the growing energy demands of AI, with experts noting that large data centers require reliable, round-the-clock power, often boosting fossil fuel use despite parallel investments in clean energy. Environmental groups, including Greenpeace and Food & Water Watch, have raised concerns about emissions, water use, and the environmental impact of expanding data center infrastructure.

Source: eenews.net