Google Powers Data Centers With Coal Mine Solar Project

A shuttered coal mine in West Virginia is getting a second life as one of America's most innovative clean energy projects, thanks to Google's commitment to powering its data centers with renewable electricity.

The tech giant announced it will purchase all the energy from the Mammoth Solar project in Kanawha County, which will combine 86 megawatts of solar panels with two types of battery storage on land that once produced coal. Construction begins this year, with the solar array expected to start operating in 2028.

What makes this project special is its battery technology. While most energy storage relies on lithium batteries, this facility will feature 10 megawatts of zinc-based batteries that can store power for more than eight hours without using flammable materials. It's one of the largest zinc battery deployments in the country.

The zinc batteries, manufactured by Eos Energy Enterprises, work alongside traditional lithium batteries to ensure Google's regional data centers receive clean power throughout the day and night. Together, the storage systems can hold enough electricity to power thousands of homes for hours.

Developer MN8 Energy designed the project specifically to match Google's energy needs in the region, where power demand has been straining the grid. The project will add much-needed capacity to the PJM Interconnection system, which serves 65 million people across 13 states and recently struggled with supply shortfalls.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about one company's electricity bills. Google's willingness to invest in next-generation battery technology is helping prove that alternatives to lithium batteries can work at scale, potentially accelerating the adoption of longer-duration storage across America.

The project also demonstrates how coal communities can transition to clean energy jobs. West Virginia, long dependent on coal mining, is finding new economic opportunities in renewable energy development and advanced manufacturing.

Google is simultaneously backing an even larger battery project in Minnesota, a 300-megawatt iron-air installation that can discharge power for up to 100 hours. Both projects support the company's broader goal of running its data centers on carbon-free energy around the clock, not just on average.

The West Virginia facility represents a powerful symbol: the same land that once powered America with fossil fuels will soon help power the digital age with sunshine and innovation.