'Google will pay for 100% of the power it uses'

Google pledges $1.5 billion in funding for Alabama data center campus

Jackson County, Alabama facility set to see major expansion, with Google shouldering all the costs

Google says the facility could even soon get nuclear poiwer

Google has announced $1.5 billion in funding for its Alabama data center, promising it will also cover energy used at the facility, rather than passing the cost onto local residents.

In an announcement, the company said the investment will help it expand its data center campus in Jackson County, Alabama over the next two years as it looks to cope with rising demand.

And as concerns over the environmental effects of data centers across the country continue to rise, Google says it will pay for all the energy it uses, with plans to eventually switch to nuclear power.

Data center expansion

"Data centers power the technology America relies on — not only providing Google services like Search and Maps, but also online banking, hospitals and 911 systems," the company's announcement noted.

"Building on Google’s 20-year track record of local partnership in communities across America, the company strives to positively contribute to every community it calls home."

Google has had a presence in Jackson County since 2018, on the site of a former coal plant, and says its new pledges reinforce its aim to be a "good neighbour" in the community via "through responsibly increasing local infrastructure capacity, scaling energy affordability programs, and supporting thousands of jobs in the region."

"In line with its support for the White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, Google will pay for 100% of the power it uses," the announcement added.

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"When Google builds new data centers, including its Jackson County expansion, it will also cover the infrastructure costs directly driven by its operations."

The company says its payments will cover all of the “power and infrastructure” needed for the expansion. This puts it in line with the US government’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, meaning Google would need to ensure local electricity costs would not rise as a result of the increased activity at the expanded data center.

This power need could be powered by nuclear energy, with Google noting that it established a partnership between itself, Kairos Power, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in August 2025 which will supply Google with up to 50 megawatts of clean power to data centers in both Alabama and Tennessee.

This deal is particularly pertinent as it means Google is able to draw power from its own dedicated grid, rather than local energy sources, which could drive up demand and prices for nearby residents.

"Strong partnerships between industry and local communities are the foundation of regional prosperity," said State Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston. "From funding STEM education initiatives to supporting critical energy affordability programs, Google has consistently demonstrated a deep dedication to Jackson County. This new expansion will undoubtedly generate lasting, positive impacts for local families and businesses alike."

As part of the expansion, Google also announced a $2 million "Energy Impact Fund" in partnership with the TVA and CAANEAL to support local energy efficiency and weatherization programs, as is donating $550,000 to provide STEM kits for local fourth-to-eighth graders.

“Sustainable growth is only possible when a community thrives alongside it," said Thomas Gamble, Jackson County Site Lead, Google. "Our continued expansion in Alabama is driven by a long-term vision of shared success. By investing heavily in the students, small businesses, and local organizations that form the backbone of Jackson County, Google aims to build a foundation of opportunity that will benefit the region long after construction is complete."

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Mike Moore is Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a B2B and B2C tech journalist for nearly a decade, including at one of the UK's leading national newspapers and fellow Future title ITProPortal, and when he's not keeping track of all the latest enterprise and workplace trends, can most likely be found watching, following or taking part in some kind of sport.