Google is substantially increasing its natural gas consumption to power its growing network of data centers, according to internal documents and public records reviewed by The Verge. The tech giant’s gas usage has risen sharply in recent years, and is projected to continue climbing as it expands its artificial intelligence infrastructure and cloud services.
This surge in natural gas reliance comes as Google concurrently invests heavily in renewable energy sources. Though,the immediate energy demands of its data centers – notably those supporting AI workloads - currently outpace the availability of renewables in many key locations,necessitating increased gas consumption as a bridge fuel. The move highlights the complex energy challenges facing tech companies as they race to meet the escalating power needs of AI, and raises questions about the industry’s overall carbon footprint.
Data analyzed by The Verge shows Google’s natural gas purchases have increased substantially in locations like Virginia, Georgia, and Iowa, where the company operates large data center campuses. Internal documents reveal Google anticipates a continued need for natural gas to maintain reliable power delivery, even as renewable energy projects come online.
the company’s data center operations are particularly energy-intensive. A single Google data center can consume as much electricity as a small city.The rise of AI applications, like Google’s Gemini model, further exacerbates this demand, requiring significantly more processing power and, consequently, energy.
Google maintains it is indeed committed to operating on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030. A spokesperson stated the company is actively pursuing renewable energy contracts and grid improvements to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. However, the current reality is that natural gas remains a critical component of its energy mix, ensuring consistent power for its data centers and the services they support. The company is also exploring alternative cooling technologies and energy efficiency measures to mitigate its environmental impact.
