Google turns to carbon-capture gas plant to power Midwest data centers

Google has signed its first corporate agreement to purchase electricity from a US power plant that uses carbon capture and storage technology in a bid to power its data centers in the Midwest.

The recent boom in AI data centers has forced tech giants to fund the development and expansion of power plants across the country.

In recent deals, Google has also bought electricity from cutting-edge nuclear reactors, geothermal, and hydropower sources.

The tech giant also collaborated with PJM Interconnection , the US biggest power grid, to accelerate the connection of new power supplies.

Google also entered a power offtake agreement with privately held Low Carbon Infrastructure for a 400-megawatt power plant in Decatur Illinois.

The facility is expected to produce power using carbon capture in the early 2030. This technology will allow 90 percent trapping of carbon dioxide emissions and injecting them underground.

According to Michael Terrell, head of Advanced Energy at Google, “We have been really focused on advancing all these new technologies for around-the-clock clean technologies and this is an important piece of the puzzle.”

“It is a very important technology that the world needs,” he added.

However, Google did not reveal the further terms of the deal.