Google signs deal with Brookfield for up to 3 GW of hydropower

Google has signed a hydro framework agreement (HFA) with Brookfield Asset Management and Brookfield Renewable to procure up to 3GW of carbon-free hydroelectric capacity in the United States.

The first contracts under this agreement cover Brookfield’s Holtwood and Safe Harbor hydroelectric plants in Pennsylvania. These facilities will supply 670MW of clean power to support Google’s operations in the PJM (Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland) electricity market. The 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) represent an investment of over $3 billion by Google.

Under the HFA, Google will be able to purchase electricity from a portfolio of hydropower assets that are either relicensed or upgraded to extend their operational life. The agreement supports Google’s goal to power its data centers with 24/7 carbon-free energy and aligns with broader digital infrastructure growth.

Brookfield and Google are initially focusing on the PJM and MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) regions, with plans to expand into other parts of the country. The deal structure allows Brookfield to continue meeting existing obligations, such as supplying power from the Safe Harbor facility to Amtrak.

The hydro agreement is part of a broader clean energy push by Google. In recent months, the company has signed a 600MW solar deal with energyRe, secured a 200MW fusion power agreement with MIT spinoff Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), and partnered with Elementl to develop three advanced nuclear energy sites in the United States, each expected to generate at least 600MW.