Google (NASDAQ:GOOG)(NASDAQ:GOOGL) has agreed to support a gas-fired power plant with carbon capture and storage to supply enough energy to help fuel its buildout of data centers for artificial intelligence while maintaining clean energy goals.
“Today we’re excited to announce a first-of-its kind corporate agreement to support a gas power plant with CCS,” said Michael Terrell, Google’s head of advanced energy. “Broadwing Energy, located in Decatur, Illinois, will capture and permanently store approximately 90% of its CO2 emissions. By agreeing to buy most of the power it generates, Google is helping get this new, baseload power source built and connected to the regional grid that supports our data centers.”
The Broadwing project will be located at an industrial center operated by Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM). The new power plant will have 400 MW of generating capacity. Carbon dioxide will be stored in AMD’s sequestration facilities, which will pump the COâ‚‚ more than one mile beneath the surface. The power plant is expected to come online in early 2030.
According to the International Energy Agency, global electricity consumption for data centers is expected to double to 945 TWh by 2030. This would represent nearly 3% of global electricity usage.
“China and the United States are the most significant regions for data centre electricity consumption growth, accounting for nearly 80% of global growth to 2030,” the IEA said. “Consumption increases by around 240 TWh (up 130%) in the United States, compared to the 2024 level. In China it increases by around 175 TWh (up 170%). In Europe it grows by more than 45 TWh (up 70%). Japan increases by around 15 TWh (up 80%).”