Google secures full output of Arkansas' Steel River solar project to offset data‑center emissions

Google has signed a virtual power purchase agreement (vPPA) to buy 100 % of the electricity generated by the first two phases of the Steel River Energy Center in Wilson, Arkansas. The initial phases will deliver about 1.6 GW of solar power and 1.9 GWh of battery storage, enough to serve roughly 315,000 homes. The project, slated for full operation by 2029, will ultimately provide 2.5 GW of solar generation and 2.9 GWh of storage, making it the largest U.S. solar‑plus‑storage facility.

The agreement is part of Google’s effort to balance the rising electricity demand of its AI‑driven data centers, which saw a 37 % jump in power use last year. By purchasing the clean electricity, Google aims to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations and move toward its 24/7 carbon‑free energy target for 2030. The development is being financed with about $3.5 billion in funding, uses domestically produced panels, batteries and steel, and is expected to create around 700 construction jobs per phase and generate up to $300 million in local tax revenue. Google and Cypress Creek Energy also pledged $8 million for community and school initiatives in Arkansas.