On Friday, one of the biggest solar projects in the United States debuted in Texas, supported by what Google claimed was its largest-ever purchase of solar electricity.
At the ribbon cutting, which took place roughly two hours south of Dallas, Google executive Ben Sloss stated that the company must connect renewable, carbon-free electricity to the grid at the same time that it launches activities that will consume it.
He stated that Google anticipates spending $16 billion on clean energy purchases worldwide by 2040.
The administration’s efforts to encourage manufacturers and developers to establish energy projects in the United States are exemplified by the solar project, according to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who attended.
“Being in the middle of history can make it difficult to tell at times,” she remarked. “But I am telling you now that history is being made right here.”
In Buckholts, Texas, SB Energy constructed the “Orion Solar Belt,” a series of three solar farms erected side by side.
They can generate 875 megawatts of sustainable energy when combined.
That’s almost the size of a normal nuclear power plant. Google claims that the 2,800 megawatts of new wind and solar projects it has contracted with sustainable energy producers to bring to the state will be more than enough power for its businesses.
As the IT giants look for new sources of carbon-free electricity to meet the growing demand from data centers and artificial intelligence, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have all recently announced investments in nuclear energy to power data centers.
Regardless of the time of day or whether the sun is up, Google has pledged to obtain all of its electricity without causing climate change.
Laptops 1000However, as artificial intelligence advances, neither Google nor other major corporations are fulfilling their obligations.
According to the International Energy Agency, data centers may use over 1,000 terawatt-hours of electricity overall in 2026, more than double their 2022 usage.
According to estimates, 70,000 households could be powered for a year by one terawatt-hour.
The electrification of buildings and automobiles is also increasing the need for power on a global scale.
Last year, people used more electricity than ever before, which put pressure on global electric infrastructure.
Google announced in August that it will be spending over $1 billion in Texas this year to maintain its data center and cloud infrastructure.
About 85% of the solar energy generated by the project will be used by Google for cloud computing in the Dallas area and data centers located in Ellis County.
Google has a data center complex in Midlothian, Ellis County, and is also developing an additional campus in Red Oak.
The state’s electricity grid will receive the remaining solar energy. The flora surrounding the solar arrays is maintained by grazing thousands of sheep.
This project consisted of a spreadsheet and a series of emails in which I exchanged numerous approvals and other materials.
The sight of it spread out in front of you when you cross the rise over there blows your mind.
At the ceremony, Sloss stated, “Because of this vast field of solar arrays.” As a group, we have accomplished this. That is just remarkable.
“The climate law, formerly known as the Inflation Reduction Act, encouraged clean energy manufacturing, which is why the majority of the solar farm components are made in the United States.”
SB Energy anticipates the projects to be the first to be eligible for an additional tax credit the law provides for using domestic content.
