Google is collaborating with NextEra Energy to restart the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa. The owner, NextEra Energy, has secured a $1.9 billion loan from the US Department of Energy to fund the renovation of the facility, which has been offline since 2020 due to storm damage. Google announced its intent to push for the plant's return to service in October 2025.
The plant is expected to resume operations by 2029. NextEra Energy CEO John Ketchum stated that the facility will provide 50 MW of power to local electricity cooperatives. This amount represents approximately 18% of Iowa's additional electricity demand since 2021. To support its infrastructure, Google plans to build up to six data centers near the energy center.
The project is part of a broader trend of tech giants securing stable, low-carbon power for AI data centers. The US government is supporting these efforts, as seen with a $1 billion loan provided to Constellation Energy for the restart of a Three Mile Island reactor. Microsoft has a similar agreement with Constellation Energy to restart a reactor with a 835 MW capacity by 2028.
NextEra Energy plans to increase the plant's efficiency during renovation, adding 14 MW of additional capacity. This will bring the total installed capacity to 615 MW. Google will receive power through a 25-year power purchase agreement, while some electricity will also be used to enhance local grid reliability.