Google Commits to 600-MW Solar Deal With energyRe in Carolina

• Google will invest in and purchase RECs from more than 600 MW of solar and solar-plus-storage projects that energyRe is developing in South Carolina, advancing the tech giant’s 2030 net-zero goal.

Google has deepened its clean-power push with a new agreement to source Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from over 600 MW of solar and solar-plus-storage capacity now being built by energyRe in South Carolina. The deal, announced Thursday, marks the companies’ second partnership and lifts their combined pipeline of contracted clean energy to more than 1 GWac.

Under the arrangement, Google will provide upfront capital for several utility-scale projects being developed by New York-based energyRe, then purchase the RECs once the plants are online. Neither company disclosed financial terms, but industry analysts say transactions of this size typically exceed $400 million in total project costs.

For Google, the pact is another step toward its pledge to run every office, cloud region, and data centre on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030. “Strengthening the grid by deploying reliable, clean power is crucial for the digital infrastructure that businesses and communities rely on,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Head of Data Center Energy at Google. She added that the agreement will help power Google’s expanding data-centre footprint in South Carolina while supporting broader economic growth across the state.

EnergyRe’s portfolio will span traditional fixed-tilt solar arrays and hybrid plants pairing photovoltaic panels with battery storage, enabling the projects to dispatch electricity well after sunset. “We’re designing these assets to deliver firm, low-carbon power that meets Google’s around-the-clock standards,” said Miguel Prado, CEO of energyRe. The company expects construction to begin next year, with phased commissioning through 2027.

South Carolina’s fast-growing coastal tech corridor and favourable solar resources make it a strategic location for Google. State regulators have also revamped interconnection rules and expanded renewable-energy procurement programs, easing the pathway for large corporate buyers.

Beyond reducing Scope 2 emissions, the deal offers local benefits. EnergyRe estimates the projects will create 1,000 construction jobs and generate tens of millions in tax revenue for rural counties, funding schools, roads, and emergency services. Once operational, the solar farms will supply enough emission-free electricity to power roughly 140,000 homes annually, further greening a grid still dominated by natural gas.

As tech giants race to decarbonise their energy use, agreements like Google’s with energyRe highlight how corporate demand is accelerating the build-out of large-scale renewables, particularly in regions where grid-scale storage can firm solar output and bolster reliability for years to come.