Meta and Google turn to NextEra to feed insatiable datacenter power hunger
Summary
NextEra Energy has tightened its grip on hyperscaler power demand. The company agreed to supply Meta with a combined 2.5 GW of new renewable capacity across 13 projects that will be energised between 2026 and 2028 (about 2.1 GW from nine solar schemes). Combined with Google’s existing arrangements — roughly 3.5 GW of capacity in operation or under contract — Meta and Google now represent about 18% of the 33.4 GW of generating capacity at NextEra Energy Resources.
NextEra (the parent owns about 72 GW of net generation and storage) operates a clean-energy arm with roughly 35 GW of capacity (wind ~64%, nuclear ~17%, solar ~15%). The utility will also deepen its commercial relationship with Google: the pair plan to build digital operational platforms that combine NextEra operational data with Google’s forecasting models (TimesFM 2.5, WeatherNext 2) and generative/agentic AI to improve weather-aware metering, predictive maintenance, supply-chain planning and crew scheduling. The first commercial product is slated for Google Cloud Marketplace by mid-2026.
The companies are also collaborating to develop multi-gigawatt datacentre campuses across the US and are progressing plans to restart the Duane Arnold 615 MW nuclear plant in Iowa with Google as a primary customer.
Key Points
- NextEra agreed to provide Meta with 2.5 GW of new capacity across 13 projects; ~2.1 GW will come from nine solar projects.
- Meta and Google together account for roughly 18% of NextEra Energy Resources’ 33.4 GW operating capacity.
- NextEra parent has ~72 GW of net generation; NextEra Energy Resources holds ~35 GW of renewables (wind 64%, nuclear 17%, solar 15%).
- NextEra and Google will commercialise digital operational platforms using TimesFM 2.5 and WeatherNext 2 forecasting and Google’s generative AI; first product expected mid-2026 on Google Cloud Marketplace.
- Plans include developing multi-gigawatt datacentre campuses and restarting the Duane Arnold nuclear plant with Google as a principal customer.
- The deals illustrate hyperscalers consolidating long-term supply via PPAs and utilities leaning on software and AI to optimise ageing grid infrastructure.
Why should I read this?
Because if you care where the power for all that AI actually comes from — and who’s snagging the bulk of it — this story spells out how hyperscalers are locking down capacity, leaning on big utilities and even reviving nuclear to keep the servers fed. Quick read, big consequences.
Author style
Punchy: This isn’t a small procurement — it’s a shifting power dynamic between hyperscalers and utilities. If you track cloud infrastructure, energy markets or AI-scale economics, the details here matter: these deals will influence where datacentres get built, how grids are managed and which players shape energy markets.
Context and Relevance
Datacentre demand for electricity is rising rapidly as AI workloads scale. Hyperscalers are increasingly using long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), direct utility partnerships and even nuclear restarts to secure reliable supply. The NextEra–Google–Meta triangle highlights two trends: consolidation of supply among a few large buyers, and the use of software and AI to squeeze more value and resilience from existing grid assets. Regulators, grid operators and organisations planning capacity should note the implications for grid access, pricing and new-connection availability.