Google Expands Its Solar Power Commitments with an Additional 600 Megawatts
In a move to further green its operations, Google is investing in another 600 megawatts of solar energy to power its data centers. This new initiative focuses on solar and energy storage projects currently under development in South Carolina by EnergyRe, a developer with an impressive 16 gigawatts of renewable projects in the pipeline. While most of EnergyRe’s projects range from 60 to 75 megawatts, some are notably larger, contributing significantly to Google’s renewable energy goals.
Recently, Google has been ramping up its investments in renewable energy sources. Last year, the tech giant committed $20 billion in partnership with Intersect Power and TPG Rise Climate to develop enough zero-carbon power plants to support several gigawatts of data center operations. Just this January, Google sealed a deal to purchase over 700 megawatts of solar energy projects in Oklahoma from Leeward Renewable Energy.
Like many leading tech companies, Google has set an ambitious target to eliminate its carbon footprint from energy consumption by 2030. For years, the company and its peers have steadily increased their investments in renewable energy to meet this goal. However, the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and the increasing computational demands have posed new challenges, prompting Google to accelerate its renewable energy purchases. In 2023 alone, Google contracted a remarkable 4 gigawatts of clean power.
Google isn’t alone in this green push. Microsoft has also been expanding its renewable portfolio, adding hundreds of megawatts of solar energy in recent months, including a substantial 475-megawatt purchase in March. Similarly, Meta has signed solar power deals totaling nearly 1.1 gigawatts this year—595 megawatts in January and 505 megawatts in February—highlighting the broader industry shift toward sustainable energy solutions.
As these tech giants continue to invest heavily in renewable energy, their efforts not only help reduce carbon emissions but also set a powerful example for the industry and the world.
