Google has entered into a series of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with Leeward Renewable Energy, securing energy from a 724MW portfolio of solar projects currently under development in Oklahoma. This agreement will provide Google’s Pryor data center with reliable, carbon-free energy sourced from large-scale solar installations strategically located near the facility.
New Solar Projects Near Google’s Pryor Data Center
Construction of Mayes County Solar Portfolio Begins
Construction has officially begun on the 372MW Mayes County Solar Portfolio, located just one mile from Google’s Pryor data center. This portfolio is a key part of Google’s renewable energy strategy for powering its operations. It includes three significant projects: the 145MW Salt Branch Solar, 125MW Huckleberry Solar, and 102MW Mayes Solar. The Mayes portfolio is expected to be operational by the end of 2025, marking a major milestone in Google’s sustainable energy efforts.
Strategic Partnership with Grand River Dam Authority
The energy generated by these solar projects will be delivered to the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA), Oklahoma’s largest public power utility. GRDA will, in turn, supply the clean energy to power Google’s Pryor data center. This collaboration plays a pivotal role in ensuring the center is powered by renewable energy sources, aligning with Google’s long-term sustainability goals.
Expansion of Solar Initiatives in Oklahoma
Additional Solar Projects in Southern Oklahoma
In addition to the Mayes County Solar Portfolio, two more solar projects are in development in southern Oklahoma. The 152.5MW Twelvemile Solar Project (comprising two phases) and the 200MW Twelvemile Three Solar Project are scheduled to reach commercial operations by March 2026. These projects will further augment the clean energy supply for Google’s operations in the region.
Leeward Renewable Energy’s Acquisition of Mayes County Projects
Earlier this year, Leeward Renewable Energy acquired the Mayes County Solar Portfolio from Red River Renewable Energy, continuing its commitment to developing large-scale solar power in the region. This acquisition enhances Google’s ability to access reliable renewable energy sources for its data center operations.
Google’s Commitment to Carbon-Free Energy by 2030
Long-Term Sustainability Goals for Data Centers
Google has set ambitious targets to power all its data centers with carbon-free energy 24/7 by 2030. This PPA with Leeward Renewable Energy is part of the company’s broader strategy to reduce its environmental impact and ensure that its data centers operate sustainably. Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s global head of data center energy, emphasized that this agreement supports the company’s ongoing efforts to meet its sustainability objectives.
LEAP Framework Streamlines PPA Negotiations
The PPAs were facilitated through LEAP, a framework co-developed by Google and LevelTen, designed to streamline the negotiation process for renewable energy contracts. This framework helps reduce the time traditionally required to finalize such agreements, enabling faster transitions to renewable energy for Google’s facilities.
Previous Power Purchase Agreements for Pryor Data Center
Wind Power Agreements to Support Data Center Operations
The PPA with Leeward Renewable Energy is the latest in a series of renewable energy agreements signed by Google to power its Pryor data center. Since the facility began operations in 2011, Google has made several strategic deals to ensure its energy needs are met through clean power sources. These include a 100MW wind power agreement with a local wind farm in 2011, which was extended to 240MW by 2013. Additionally, in 2015, Google signed two 200MW wind power contracts for the Renewable Energy Systems Americas Bluestem project in Oklahoma.
Recent PPA with Apex Clean Energy
This agreement with Leeward is Google’s second PPA signed in 2025. Last week, the company also entered into an agreement with Apex Clean Energy to purchase the full capacity of the 79.3MW Rocky Forge Wind project in Botetourt County, Virginia. These PPAs further solidify Google’s commitment to powering its data centers with renewable energy.
FAQ Section
1. What is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)?
A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a long-term contract between a buyer (such as a company or utility) and a seller (usually a renewable energy producer). The buyer agrees to purchase energy from the seller at an agreed price for a specified period, often to meet sustainability or renewable energy goals.
2. How does the PPA with Leeward Renewable Energy benefit Google’s data centers?
The PPA with Leeward ensures that Google’s Pryor data center receives a reliable and consistent supply of clean, carbon-free energy, helping the company achieve its sustainability goals and reduce its carbon emissions.
3. What are Google’s long-term sustainability goals?
Google aims to power all its data centers with 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030, reducing its environmental impact and supporting global efforts to combat climate change.
4. Where are the new solar projects located in Oklahoma?
The new solar projects are located in Mayes County, near Google’s data center in Pryor, Oklahoma, with additional projects under development in southern Oklahoma.
5. What is the LEAP framework for PPAs?
LEAP is a framework co-developed by Google and LevelTen to accelerate the negotiation and execution of renewable energy contracts, enabling companies to transition more quickly to sustainable energy solutions.
