Workflow
Google inks $3B deal to buy hydropower from Brookfield
TechCrunchยท2025-07-15 13:05

Core Insights - Google has agreed to pay over $3 billion for carbon-free hydropower from Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners to support its expanding data centers [1][2] - The deal includes 20-year power purchase agreements for 670 megawatts of capacity from two hydropower plants in Pennsylvania, with a total potential of up to 3 gigawatts [2][5] - This move reflects a broader trend among tech giants like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft to secure sustainable energy sources for their growing data center needs [3][4] Group 1 - The agreement is part of a framework that allows Google to source renewable energy, aligning with its net-zero targets while managing the carbon emissions from its data centers [5][6] - Brookfield Renewable Partners will upgrade its hydropower facilities, Holtwood and Safe Harbor, to meet new energy requirements [5] - The collaboration is seen as a significant step in ensuring a clean energy supply in the PJM region, emphasizing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of hydropower [6]