That’s why Google’s recent $1 billion partnership with Brookfield Renewable Partners to expand their presence in the mid-Atlantic and mid-continent electricity markets is so exciting. This partnership aims to enhance clean energy supply to support Google’s data center operations within the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland (PJM) region. The partnership features two decades of 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs), which stand as Google’s over $3 billion investment.
The agreements involve two hydroelectric facilities located in Pennsylvania: the Holtwood and Safe Harbor plants. With these facilities combined, these will give Google a total capacity of 670 megawatts (MW), furthering Google’s quest for reassure their commitment to renewable energy. Brookfield will additionally honor out contracts like the delivery of power from Safe Harbor plant to Amtrak customers.
Commitment to Clean Energy
Google agrees with ENERGYWORKS that this partnership is a landmark step toward delivering a dependable, clean energy supply in the PJM territory. Amanda Peterson Corio, a representative from Google, stated, “At Google, we’re dedicated to responsibly growing the digital infrastructure that powers daily life for people, communities and businesses. This shared vision with Brookfield is an important next step in realizing that dream. What’s more, it helps ensure a clean, affordable energy future for the broader PJM region in which we operate. Hydropower is the world’s oldest renewable energy and a key technology for energy transition. Doing so delivers reliable, domestic, carbon-free electricity along with good-paying jobs and bolsters the grid for all.
Besides solidifying Google’s energy portfolio, this partnership further helps Google meet its long-term sustainability targets. By leveraging hydropower from Brookfield’s facilities, Google can further reduce its carbon footprint while meeting the growing electricity demands driven by digitalization and artificial intelligence.
Expansion Opportunities
The collaboration is set to grow further in the near future, spreading to new regions of the United States. The global market for sustainable energy solutions is expanding. Both firms share a strong desire to pursue vibrant opportunities available through the expansion of regional competitive markets in the mid-continent (MISO) electricity markets. The expansion could significantly enhance the renewable energy landscape and support Google’s ambitious growth plans.
Connor Teskey with Brookfield added on the significance of this partnership, calling it a prime example of the awesome power of hydropower. He continued, “Our collaborative agreement with Google reflects how important hydropower is for hyperscale customers, providing the renewable energy they need to reach their own energy targets. We need to provide clean power at the necessary scale from both existing and new resources. This is crucial to powering the growing electricity appetite pushed by digitalization and AI.
Supporting Local Economies
The investment in these hydropower facilities doesn’t just benefit large corporations like Google as an energy user, but benefits local communities and economies. By creating jobs and delivering dependable energy solutions, these community-driven projects foster local economic growth while respecting the environment and operating sustainably.
Brookfield is now in the process of relicensing both the Holtwood and Safe Harbor facilities to keep their operations going. Not only does this initiative tactically cut the burgeoning demand for clean energy, it does an excellent job targeting local and national needs.
