Google to Build $17 Billion Data Center Campus in Cheyenne, Wyoming

Google is building a $17 billion data center campus in Cheyenne, Wyoming, supported by a massive 702-megawatt fuel cell plant.

The announcement, reported by datacenterdynamics.com, marks a significant shift in how tech giants secure the immense power required to run modern artificial intelligence workloads.

The project relies on a 20-year power purchase agreement with American Electric Power (AEP). This deal funds a plant owned 92% by AEP and 8% by funds advised by Basalt Infrastructure Partners, according to an October 14 release from the utility.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the facility expected to be fully operational by the end of 2028. To manage the environmental footprint, Google plans to use air-cooling systems to minimize local water consumption.

Google Pairs Wyoming Data Center With 702 MW of Fuel Cells

Fuel cells power Wyoming campus

Instead of traditional combustion, the Cheyenne plant will utilize Bloom Energy units. These units generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction, a method that datacenterdynamics.com notes is designed for higher efficiency and lower emissions.

The fuel cells will run on natural gas, supplemented by gas generators operated by Tallgrass Energy and Black Hills Energy. Google intends to keep a large majority of the plant’s emissions out of the atmosphere by using carbon capture and storage technology. Specifically, captured carbon dioxide is slated for the Eastern Wyoming Sequestration Hub managed by Tallgrass.

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While Google has emphasized its commitment to carbon management, the company has not yet released specific figures for the plant’s total electricity load or its exact carbon capture rate. The company is also conducting a study to see if capture equipment can be added to Tallgrass’s combined-cycle turbines, though this remains an evaluation rather than a formal commitment.

The economic impact for the local community is expected to be substantial. Google anticipates the project will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in property taxes for Laramie County and Laramie County School District 1. To manage the influx of growth, the company is forming a community council alongside its energy partners to address local concerns.

Google's $17B Wyoming data center runs on fuel cells #Shorts

Contrasting models in Texas and Michigan

Google’s approach to energy varies significantly depending on the geography. In the Texas Panhandle, the company operates under a different structure. Through its subsidiary Intersect, Google is developing the Meitner Energy Center in Gray and Roberts counties. This site will utilize more than 1 gigawatt of wind, solar, and battery storage, with on-site gas used primarily for firming the supply.

In Michigan, however, the relationship between the tech giant and local utilities has become a point of legal contention. The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) recently approved special contracts between DTE Electric and Google for a data center in Van Buren Township. These agreements involve 20-year terms and require Google to pay for at least 80% of its contracted demand.

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“The commission let DTE net costs against benefits across the full contract term, a method that leaves other customers subsidizing the data center from 2035 through 2038.”

Comparing data center power strategies

The following table compares the different energy and contract structures Google is employing across these three regions, based on available reports:

Location	Primary Energy Source	Contract Structure	Key Stakeholders
Cheyenne, WY	702 MW Fuel Cells (Natural Gas)	20-year PPA with AEP	AEP, Bloom Energy, Tallgrass
Texas Panhandle	Wind, Solar, and Battery Storage	On-site generation (via Intersect)	Google, Intersect
Van Buren, MI	Renewables and Battery Storage	20-year special utility contract	DTE Electric, MPSC

The rising cost of grid stability

As data centers grow, developers are increasingly prioritizing electrical capacity over land availability. This shift is driving the industry toward onsite generation to avoid overwhelming local grids. In Wyoming, Google is paying for 100% of the campus’s power and the infrastructure required to support its growth.