Google Unveils 1-Gigawatt Michigan Data Center Backed by 2.7-GW Solar Storage and $10M Fund
Google plans a 1-gigawatt data center on 130 acres in Van Buren Township, Michigan, with five buildings covering 800,000 square feet and using 2–3.6 million gallons of water daily. The project secures 2.7 gigawatts of solar storage via DTE Energy and launches a $10 million fund to lower utility costs.
1. Project Reveal and Scope
Google confirmed it is the operator of the 1-gigawatt data center code-named ‘Project Cannoli’ on 130 of 282 acres in Van Buren Township. The facility will encompass five buildings totaling over 800,000 square feet, marking one of Google’s largest single-site deployments.
2. Energy Partnership
Under a deal with DTE Energy, the data center will source 2.7 gigawatts of new solar and advanced storage resources. Google will fully cover electrical infrastructure costs to bolster grid resilience and protect local ratepayers from increased charges.
3. Water Cooling Plan
The center is expected to draw 2 to 3.6 million gallons of water per day from the township’s supply for cooling, with all water purchased rather than sourced from groundwater. Van Buren Township procures its water from regional authorities drawing from Lake Huron and the Detroit River.
4. Approvals and Community Fund
The township Planning Commission granted preliminary site plan approval with a 5-2 vote, while the Board of Trustees will review the final plan and development agreement. Google also established a $10 million Energy Impact Fund to help local organizations reduce monthly utility bills.