Google, Partners Build $350M Clean Energy Hub in West Virginia

Google is turning a former coal mine in West Virginia into a cutting-edge clean energy facility that could change how we think about renewable power.

The tech giant partnered with MN8 Energy and Eos Energy Enterprises to build an 86-megawatt solar farm paired with two types of battery storage in Kanawha County. Together, the systems will convert intermittent sunshine into dependable electricity that flows even after dark.

The $350 million facility represents West Virginia's first commercial deployment of long-duration energy storage technology. Construction begins soon, with the solar panels expected to start generating power in 2028.

What makes this project special is how it solves renewable energy's biggest challenge: storing power for when the sun isn't shining. The facility combines standard lithium-ion batteries with innovative zinc-based batteries that can store energy for up to ten hours. This tag-team approach means consistent, reliable clean power.

MN8 Energy will own and operate the facility, while Google will purchase all the electricity to power its data centers in the region, including a new facility planned for West Virginia. The setup lets Google run its digital infrastructure on clean energy without worrying about gaps in supply.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond clean energy, this project breathes new economic life into coal country. The development will create approximately 200 construction jobs and generate $4 million in property tax revenue for local schools and county services over its first 20 years.

Building on a reclaimed mine site adds powerful symbolism to the practical benefits. The land once used for fossil fuel extraction will now generate clean electricity for decades to come.

Eos Energy's Nathan Kroeker emphasized the project addresses real grid challenges while manufacturing storage systems in America. Google's Lucia Tian highlighted how the collaboration advances both the company's capacity needs and broader progress toward affordable, cleaner energy systems.

The facility will feed power into the PJM grid, which serves 65 million people across 13 states. As demand for electricity grows, especially from data centers, this model shows how renewable energy can reliably meet those needs.

West Virginia is gaining a blueprint for its energy future, one that honors its past while powering ahead.