Google is ramping up its renewable energy game to power its data centers, announcing a $20 billion investment in renewable power, battery storage, and grid upgrades. The tech giant has partnered with Intersect Power and TPG Rise Climate to drive several gigawatt-scale data centers with carbon-free power.

The deal includes an $800 million equity investment in Intersect Power, with TPG leading the round and other participants like Google and Greenbelt Capital Partners. As tech companies like Google race to boost their AI capabilities, they are investing in new energy sources to keep up with the demand.

The new project will see wind, solar, and battery storage matched with a hypothetical 1 gigawatt-scale data center. This mix of renewable power sources will have enough capacity to last two to four hours, connected to the same point on the grid with Google footing the bill for any required upgrades.

With 11,860 active requests in the U.S. for power producers wanting to connect with the grid, the hope is that the partnership between Google and Intersect will speed up the process. The first phase of the project is expected to be operational by 2026 and fully completed by 2027, showcasing the speed at which renewable power can be put into action.

While Google pushes forward with its renewable energy plans, nuclear power startups face pressure. Microsoft’s reactor restart at Three Mile Island is set for 2028, while Google’s deal with Kairos aims for 2030 and Amazon’s contract with X-Energy targets the early 2030s. The nuclear power industry must ensure projects proceed as planned and are completed on time to keep up with the renewable energy wave.