Google Secures 150 MW Geothermal Deal in Nevada to Fuel AI Data Center Expansion

Google has entered into a transformative 150-megawatt geothermal energy agreement with Ormat Technologies and NV Energy to power its growing network of artificial intelligence data centers in Nevada, marking one of the largest clean-energy deals in the tech industry’s history. According to Investing News Network, the deal, finalized in February 2026, will tap into Nevada’s abundant underground thermal resources to provide continuous, carbon-free electricity to support the insatiable power demands of AI training and inference workloads. The project is expected to begin operations as early as 2028, pending final regulatory approvals from state authorities.

The surge in AI-driven computing has placed unprecedented pressure on global energy grids. Data centers consumed an estimated 460 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024—a figure projected to double by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency. Google, which has committed to operating on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030, is leading the charge in sourcing sustainable alternatives to fossil-fueled power. Geothermal energy, long overlooked in favor of solar and wind, offers a unique advantage: it provides reliable, round-the-clock baseload power without the intermittency challenges of other renewables. Nevada, home to some of the most active geothermal fields in the United States, is emerging as a strategic hub for this next-generation energy infrastructure.

Ormat Technologies, a leader in geothermal power generation and recovery systems, will design, build, and operate the new facility. The company will collaborate with NV Energy, Nevada’s primary utility provider, to integrate the output into the state’s grid and ensure stable delivery to Google’s nearby data center campuses. SRN News reports that the project will involve drilling deep into the Earth’s crust—up to 10,000 feet—to access high-temperature reservoirs that can sustain energy production for decades. This approach avoids the need for large-scale battery storage and reduces reliance on natural gas peaker plants, which are often used to fill gaps in renewable supply.

Environmental advocates have welcomed the initiative as a model for responsible AI growth. “This isn’t just about powering servers,” said Dr. Elena Ruiz, an energy policy researcher at Stanford University. “It’s about redefining the energy footprint of artificial intelligence. If Google can scale this model, it could set a new industry standard for sustainability in tech.”

However, challenges remain. Geothermal development requires significant upfront capital and long lead times for permitting and drilling. Local communities in Nevada have expressed concerns about land use, water consumption in arid regions, and potential seismic activity linked to enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). State regulators are conducting environmental impact assessments, with public hearings scheduled for late 2026.

For Google, the deal is part of a broader strategy to decouple AI expansion from carbon emissions. In 2025, the company announced it would no longer purchase electricity from new fossil fuel plants and has invested over $5 billion in clean energy projects globally. This Nevada geothermal partnership is its largest single renewable energy contract to date and aligns with its goal of achieving net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2030.

As AI continues to reshape industries from healthcare to finance, the energy question looms larger than ever. Google’s move signals that the future of AI may not be powered by coal or gas—but by the Earth’s own heat. With regulatory approvals on track, the project could become a blueprint for other tech giants seeking to scale AI sustainably. If successful, Nevada’s geothermal fields may soon be as vital to the digital economy as Silicon Valley’s silicon chips.