Google plans $17 billion Wyoming data center and 702 MW fuel-cell system

Google has announced a long-term $17 billion investment for its first Wyoming data center, planned in Laramie County with a power package that includes a 702-megawatt fuel-cell development.

The company identified Tallgrass Energy, Black Hills Energy, American Electric Power, Related Digital and Bloom Energy as project partners. Google said its contract with AEP calls for the 702 MW fuel-cell system to include carbon capture and storage. The company also plans to source power from gas generators operated by Tallgrass and Black Hills Energy while studying whether Tallgrass combined-cycle turbines could be equipped with carbon capture.

Google said the campus will use air cooling to reduce local water demand and that it will pay for the power and infrastructure directly attributable to its growth. The $17 billion figure is the announced long-term investment, not a financing close or awarded construction contract.

Steve Walter, Google’s vice president of global infrastructure and energy, said the company and its partners are forming a community council after meetings with Laramie County residents. Google expects hundreds of millions of dollars in local property taxes, but it did not announce a construction start or completion date.

For contractors and infrastructure suppliers, the announcement identifies a large planned digital-infrastructure program and an unusually large on-site power system. It does not establish an open procurement. The next disclosed work is the technical front-end engineering and design study for the Tallgrass generation option and continued community engagement; no dated project milestone was announced.