Google has announced plans to invest $25 billion in data centers and AI infrastructure over the next two years in states across the PJM Interconnection, the largest electric grid in the United States.
CNBC reports that Google has committed to investing $25 billion in data centers and AI infrastructure across the PJM Interconnection over the next two years. The PJM Interconnection, which covers 13 states in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and South, is the biggest electric grid in the nation and includes the world’s largest data center market in northern Virginia.
As part of this investment, Google will also allocate $3 billion to modernize two hydropower plants in Pennsylvania. This initiative aims to help meet the growing power demand from data centers and AI in the region. The refurbishment of the Pennsylvania plants is part of a broader framework agreement that Google signed with Brookfield Asset Management to purchase 3,000 megawatts of hydroelectric power across the United States.
Google’s substantial investment comes at a time when the PJM Interconnection is grappling with the challenge of keeping pace with the rising electricity demand from data centers and industry. The region has witnessed a surge in power consumption due to the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure and the rapid growth of AI-driven technologies.
The announcement of Google’s investment coincides with a meeting at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where President Donald Trump, White House Cabinet officials, tech executives, and energy executives are discussing AI investment in Pennsylvania. The meeting underscores the growing importance of AI and its potential impact on various sectors of the economy.
Data centers form the backbone of the digital economy, enabling the storage, processing, and transmission of vast amounts of data. The expansion and modernization of these facilities will not only support Google’s own operations but also facilitate the growth of other businesses that rely on cloud computing and AI-powered services.
The investment in hydroelectric power plants also aligns with Google’s sustainability goals, which the tech giant has struggled with in recent years. By sourcing renewable energy to power its data centers, Google aims to mitigate the environmental impact of its operations.
The $25 billion investment by Google is likely to create numerous job opportunities in the states covered by the PJM Interconnection. The construction and operation of data centers and the modernization of hydropower plants will require a large workforce, potentially boosting employment in the region.
Read more at CNBC here.
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship.