Google Unveils Minnesota AI Hub with 1,400 MW Wind, 200 MW Solar, 300 MW Battery Storage
Google will build a 480-acre AI data center in Pine Island, Minnesota under a Clean Energy Accelerator Charge with Xcel Energy covering electric costs. The project is backed by billions in clean energy and adds 1,400 MW wind, 200 MW solar, 300 MW battery storage plus a $50 million grid fund.
1. Data Center Site and Capacity
Google selected a 480-acre site in Pine Island, 70 miles southeast of Minneapolis, for its first Minnesota data center, designed to support surging AI workloads and broader cloud operations. The facility anchors Alphabet’s U.S. expansion strategy to meet escalating demand and address regional power constraints.
2. Clean Energy Agreement and Investments
Under a Clean Energy Accelerator Charge with Xcel Energy, Google will cover all electric service costs to shield local customers. The deal unlocks 1,400 MW of wind, 200 MW of solar and 300 MW of iron-air battery storage, and includes a $50 million contribution to Xcel’s CapacityConnect Program for distributed battery systems.
3. Community Incentives and Opposition
Local authorities approved a $36 million tax abatement in exchange for more than $130 million in projected future tax revenues, while advocacy groups filed lawsuits and petitions opposing the development. Despite Minnesota’s current 74 data centers, the project signals growing tech investment beyond traditional hubs like Virginia.