Google Confirms 1GW Michigan Data Center Campus, Partners with DTE Energy on 2.7GW Clean Power Deal

Google Confirms 1GW Michigan Data Center Campus, Partners with DTE Energy on 2.7GW Clean Power Deal

March 18, 2026

In a significant move underscoring the intense demand for AI and cloud computing infrastructure, Google has officially confirmed its role as the anchor tenant for a planned one-gigawatt (1GW) data center campus near Detroit, Michigan. The announcement highlights the critical and growing intersection of large-scale digital infrastructure and clean energy procurement, as the tech giant simultaneously unveiled a major partnership with utility DTE Energy to bring 2.7 gigawatts of new clean energy resources to the local grid.

The development, previously known under the codename "Project Cannoli," was initially proposed by developer Panattoni in December 2025. Google confirmed its involvement on March 17, 2026. The campus will be constructed on approximately 130 acres of a larger 282-acre plot in Van Buren Township, strategically located between major interstates. Site plans indicate a complex exceeding 800,000 square feet, likely comprising three data center buildings alongside supporting networking and office structures, with Walbridge serving as the general contractor.

Central to the project is a landmark clean capacity acceleration agreement with DTE Energy. Google will finance 2.7GW of new clean generation and storage to match the campus's massive power needs and support grid decarbonization. According to details reported by TechCrunch, this portfolio will include 1.6GW of solar power, 400MW of four-hour battery storage, 50MW of long-duration storage, and 300MW of additional clean resources. A further 350MW will be managed through demand response programs. In a blog post, Google stated these resources will help Michigan transition away from coal-fired power.

Beyond covering its own infrastructure costs, Google is establishing a $10 million Energy Impact Fund aimed at scaling energy affordability initiatives for local communities in Michigan. This "bring your own power" model mirrors a previous agreement Google struck with Xcel Energy and reflects a broader industry trend where hyperscalers directly fund grid-scale clean energy projects.

The project solidifies southeastern Michigan's emergence as a major data center hub, joining other recently announced gigawatt-scale developments in the state. It demonstrates how the AI-driven capacity race is not only pushing the boundaries of digital infrastructure scale but also accelerating utility-scale investments in renewable energy and grid modernization.

Source: datacenterdynamics