'Google will pay for 100% of the power it uses': Google pledges $1.5 billion
to expanding Alabama data center and paying for its energy cost

Date:
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:05:00 +0000

Google plans major expansion of Alabama data center campus - which could be backed up with nuclear power -- Google has announced $1.5 billion
in funding for its Alabama data center, promising it will also cover energy used at the facility, rather than passing the cost onto local residents.

In an announcement , the company said the investment will help it expand its data center campus in Jackson County, Alabama over the next two years as it looks to cope with rising demand. And as concerns over the environmental effects of data centers across the country continue to rise, Google says it will pay for all the energy it uses, with plans to eventually switch to
nuclear power. "Data centers power the technology America relies on not only providing Google services like Search and Maps, but also online banking, hospitals and 911 systems," the company's announcement noted.

"Building on Googles 20-year track record of local partnership in communities across America, the company strives to positively contribute to every
community it calls home."

Google has had a presence in Jackson County since 2018, on the site of a
former coal plant, and says its new pledges reinforce its aim to be a "good neighbour" in the community via "through responsibly increasing local infrastructure capacity, scaling energy affordability programs, and
supporting thousands of jobs in the region."

"In line with its support for the White Houses Ratepayer Protection Pledge, Google will pay for 100% of the power it uses," the announcement added.

"When Google builds new data centers, including its Jackson County expansion, it will also cover the infrastructure costs directly driven by its
operations." (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Wikimedia commons) The company says its payments will cover all of the power and infrastructure
needed for the expansion. This puts it in line with the US governments Ratepayer Protection Pledge, meaning Google would need to ensure local electricity costs would not rise as a result of the increased activity at the expanded data center.

This power need could be powered by nuclear energy, with Google noting that
it established a partnership between itself, Kairos Power, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in August 2025 which will supply Google with up to 50 megawatts of clean power to data centers in both Alabama and Tennessee.

This deal is particularly pertinent as it means Google is able to draw power from its own dedicated grid, rather than local energy sources, which could drive up demand and prices for nearby residents.

"Strong partnerships between industry and local communities are the
foundation of regional prosperity," said State Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston. "From funding STEM education initiatives to supporting critical energy affordability programs, Google has consistently demonstrated a deep dedication to Jackson County. This new expansion will undoubtedly generate lasting, positive impacts for local families and businesses alike."

As part of the expansion, Google also announced a $2 million "Energy Impact Fund" in partnership with the TVA and CAANEAL to support local energy efficiency and weatherization programs, as is donating $550,000 to provide
STEM kits for local fourth-to-eighth graders.

Sustainable growth is only possible when a community thrives alongside it," said Thomas Gamble, Jackson County Site Lead, Google. "Our continued
expansion in Alabama is driven by a long-term vision of shared success. By investing heavily in the students, small businesses, and local organizations that form the backbone of Jackson County, Google aims to build a foundation
of opportunity that will benefit the region long after construction is complete."

Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/google-will-pay-for-100-percent-of-the-power-it- uses-google-pledges-usd1-5-billion-to-expanding-alabama-data-center-and-paying -for-its-energy-cost

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