Google signs $3 billion deal with Brookfield for clean hydropower
In a major step toward decarbonizing its growing energy footprint, Google announced on Tuesday that it will spend more than $3 billion on carbon-free hydropower as it rapidly expands its data center operations. The tech giant signed long-term power purchase agreements with Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners, a subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management, to source clean energy from two hydropower facilities in Pennsylvania.
The initial phase of the agreement includes 20-year contracts for 670 megawatts of capacity from Brookfield’s Holtwood and Safe Harbor hydro plants. These facilities will be relicensed, modernized, and upgraded to support Google's energy needs while meeting stringent clean power standards. Under a broader framework, the deal could eventually provide Google with access to up to 3 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity—enough to power millions of homes.
“This collaboration with Brookfield is a significant step forward, ensuring clean energy supply in the PJM region where we operate,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s head of data center energy. “Hydropower is a proven, low-cost technology, offering dependable, homegrown, carbon-free electricity that creates jobs and builds a stronger grid for all.”
The announcement comes amid a dramatic surge in energy demand driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence. Hyperscalers like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft are racing to build data centers capable of training and running advanced AI systems. These facilities require enormous amounts of electricity, prompting a renewed focus on securing long-term, sustainable energy sources.
While traditional fossil fuel generation and even nuclear power have seen a resurgence due to AI-related demand, renewable energy remains a critical component of these companies' climate strategies. By locking in decades of hydropower, Google aims to maintain momentum toward its goal of operating entirely on carbon-free energy, even as its infrastructure footprint expands.
Brookfield Renewable Partners emphasized that its upgraded hydropower plants will not only deliver carbon-free energy but also contribute to grid stability and economic development in the region. The company operates a broad portfolio of renewable energy assets in North America, including wind, solar, and storage, in addition to hydroelectric power.
As tech companies increasingly intertwine their energy strategies with climate commitments, deals like this are becoming more common—and more urgent. Google's $3 billion investment underscores both the scale of the AI revolution and the energy transformation required to support it responsibly.
