Google buys 400 MW geothermal from Fervo for Utah AI center

Google has agreed to buy 400 megawatts of clean energy from Fervo Energy, a deal that could eventually scale to 1 gigawatt to power a massive AI data center in Utah.

The agreement marks another milestone for enhanced geothermal, a technology that uses deep underground drilling and fluid injection to tap into Earth’s heat far beyond traditional geothermal hotspots. Fervo, backed by Google and other investors, proved its approach last year in a Nevada pilot that delivered 3.5 MW to the grid, showing it could work at commercial scale. Enhanced geothermal could unlock clean power 24/7, unlike wind and solar, making it a critical tool for decarbonizing heavy energy users like data centers.

The initial 400 MW phase will support Google’s growing AI infrastructure, which demands vast, round-the-clock electricity. If fully expanded, the 1 GW capacity would power a data center the size of Google’s planned Utah facility, matching the energy needs of its most advanced AI workloads. Fervo’s technology, adapted from oil and gas drilling, allows it to drill horizontally and fracture hot rock to create underground heat exchangers, a method that could be replicated globally.

Industry watchers say this deal could accelerate investment in enhanced geothermal, which has lagged behind other renewables due to high upfront costs and technical risks. With Google’s vote of confidence, more corporations may follow, pushing the technology closer to mainstream adoption. The next step is scaling Fervo’s operations, with construction on the first phase expected to begin within the next two years.