A Google-backed energy project could become America's largest solar farm and generate enough annual power for hundreds of thousands of homes.
Rapidly increasing electricity requirements from major technology companies and data centers are driving unprecedented demand for power. According to Deloitte, artificial intelligence data centers are projected to require 30 times more electricity by 2035 than they consume today, reaching roughly 123 gigawatts (GW). As these future energy needs become more apparent, leading technology firms are investing heavily in nuclear power alongside other electricity-generation solutions that prioritize clean energy. Google has now taken another significant step in that strategy by announcing a partnership with Cypress Creek Energy to develop what is expected to become the largest solar farm in the United States.
The Steel River Energy Center will be constructed in Mississippi County in northeastern Arkansas. Once the development is finished in 2029, the facility is expected to deliver 2.5 GWdc (gigawatts of direct current) of solar generation together with 2.9 GWh (gigawatt-hours) of battery storage capacity. That amount of electricity is sufficient to supply approximately 315,000 homes across Arkansas each year. By pairing extensive battery storage with large-scale solar generation, the Steel River project is designed to provide electricity whenever demand arises, regardless of whether it is daytime or nighttime.
Google has entered into an agreement to purchase the entire initial electricity output from the Steel River Energy Center, with the power potentially supporting its planned data center operations within Arkansas. The company is currently pursuing regulatory approval for a proposed $1 billion data center near Little Rock, Arkansas, a project first announced in early 2025. Separately, Google also started construction on a $4 billion data center in West Memphis, Arkansas, following its announcement in 2025.
Google is also pursuing additional strategies to increase the amount of electricity available to support its expanding data center network. During the middle of 2026, the company signed an agreement with Voltus to secure as much as 100 MW of capacity through a virtual power plant agreement (VPPA). This approach relies on technology that unlocks unused capacity within existing local power grids, making additional electricity available for high-demand customers. The arrangement with Voltus is expected to release additional power across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Consumers who choose to contribute a portion of their available electricity capacity to the virtual power plant may receive compensation from Voltus.
Beyond solar initiatives, Google has also invested extensively in wind energy projects around the globe. Early in 2026, the company revealed an agreement with EnBW to purchase approximately 100 MW of electricity from an offshore wind farm located in the North Sea near Germany. In addition, during 2025 Google reached an agreement with Renner Energies in Belgium to source electricity from six onshore wind farms for its regional European Google data centers. Earlier, in 2023, the company agreed to buy 150 MW of power from Ørsted's wind farm in Texas.
Google further strengthened its energy strategy in 2026 by acquiring Intersect Power for $4.75 billion. The company specializes in developing both energy-generation infrastructure and data center assets. Despite the acquisition, Intersect will continue operating as an independent entity, and its expertise could help Google identify additional approaches for securing electricity supplies.
If construction of the Steel River Energy Center proceeds according to schedule, the project will become the largest solar power facility in the United States. It also represents Google's biggest investment to date in solar energy generation and battery storage. Developing facilities that combine solar production, battery storage, and nearby data centers offers significant advantages for major technology companies because locating these assets close together helps reduce transmission challenges that can arise when relying on solar-generated electricity.
At present, the largest operating project in the United States that combines both solar electricity generation and battery storage is the Edwards & Sanborn Solar + Energy Storage facility in California's Mojave Desert. The installation provides 875 MWdc of solar generating capacity along with 3.287 GWh of battery storage. Electricity produced by the project is supplied to the California Independent System Operator grid.
Google is not the only technology company making substantial investments in large-scale renewable energy projects. Early in 2026, Amazon acquired a 1.2 GW solar development in Oregon after the original owner declared bankruptcy. Meanwhile, in the middle of 2025, Meta signed an agreement to purchase the full output from Enbridge's 600 MW Clear Fork solar farm in Texas. Meta has also partnered with Overview Energy on a space-based solar energy initiative that has the potential to contribute as much as 1 GW of electricity.
Originally reported by bgr.com on Jul 21, 2026.
