Google to power data centers via $350M solar and zinc battery plant

Google has signed a 20-year agreement to be the primary purchaser of electricity from a $350 million solar power plant being developed by MN8 Energy. The facility, located on a former strip mine in West Virginia, is designed to provide continuous clean energy to power Google’s data centers.

The project utilizes a hybrid storage approach to ensure around-the-clock availability. It will feature 86 megawatts of solar capacity, 280 megawatt-hours of lithium-iron phosphate batteries for short-term storage, and 100 MWh of zinc-based batteries manufactured by Eos Energy to provide power for at least 10 hours overnight.

Scheduled for completion in 2030, the plant will connect to the primary East Coast power grid. This investment comes as big tech companies face increasing public scrutiny regarding the impact of data centers on utility rates, water usage, and noise, while simultaneously seeking rapid ways to meet spiking electricity demand.