Google Purchases 400 MW Geothermal Power from Fervo for Utah Data Center

Google Secures Geothermal Power

Google has entered into a power purchase agreement with geothermal energy company Fervo. Under this agreement, Google will buy 396 megawatts of electricity from Fervo's Cape Station power plant located in Utah. The plant is projected to begin operations in 2028.

Expansion Options and Clean Energy Goals

The agreement includes an option for Google to purchase an additional 600 megawatts from Fervo through June 2030. This initiative aligns with Google's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 and supports the energy demands of its new data center in Utah, particularly for AI operations. Google has historically been a significant buyer of clean energy, including wind, solar, and battery storage.

Fervo's Geothermal Capacity

Fervo's Cape Station is permitted to develop up to 2 gigawatts of geothermal energy, with third-party assessments suggesting the site could generate up to 4 gigawatts. If fully developed, this capacity would approximately double the current geothermal generating capacity in the United States, according to a recent U.S. Department of Energy report. Enhanced geothermal technologies, like those developed by Fervo, can access deeper heat sources, potentially enabling the U.S. to generate up to 57 terawatts of electricity.

Long-Standing Partnership

This deal extends a collaboration between Fervo and Google that spans over five years. Google previously invested in Fervo's last funding round before the company went public. The announcement of this power purchase agreement led to a temporary increase in Fervo's stock value.