Google, infrastructure investor I Squared Capital, and its decarbonisation-focused portfolio company Low Carbon Infrastructure (LCI) have announced a new partnership to develop a large-scale natural gas power plant in the United States, integrated with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology. Google will purchase the majority of the power generated by the project.
This initiative represents the first-ever corporate offtake agreement for a CCS-enabled power plant, expanding Google’s clean energy technology portfolio to address the climate impact of its growing data centre energy needs. Google aims to achieve net zero emissions across its operations and value chain by 2030. However, the company’s recent [Environmental Report](https://www.esgtoday.com/google-reduces-data-center-emissions-but-supply-chain-continues-to-drive-carbon-footprint-higher/) acknowledges that achieving these targets will be complex, given the rising energy demand from AI and slower deployment of carbon-free energy technologies.
In recent years, Google has diversified its approach to reducing its carbon footprint by signing over 170 agreements for more than 22 GW of clean energy since 2010. Initially focused on renewables, Google’s efforts have expanded to include [geothermal](https://www.esgtoday.com/google-rolls-out-new-clean-energy-purchase-structure-with-berkshire-hathaways-nv-energy/), [advanced nuclear](https://www.esgtoday.com/google-signs-deal-to-power-data-centers-from-advanced-nuclear-plant-by-2030/), [energy storage](https://www.esgtoday.com/google-partners-with-energy-dome-to-globally-deploy-advanced-clean-energy-storage-tech/), and [biomass solutions](https://www.esgtoday.com/google-sources-renewable-energy-from-waste-wood-to-power-singapore-data-center/). Despite increased energy usage, Google reported a 12% reduction in carbon emissions from its data centres in 2024.
Michael Terrell, Head of Advanced Energy at Google, stated that the company aims to bring new CCS solutions to market while learning and innovating rapidly, a strategy similar to its approach with other energy technologies. The collaboration with LCI will fast-track technical and operational improvements, including raising CO2 capture rates and enhancing system performance and economics.
The agreement involves developing Broadwing Energy, a new power plant with over 400 MW of generating capacity, integrated with CCS technology, on an existing Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) site in Decatur, Illinois. The plant will capture approximately 90% of its CO2 emissions for permanent storage in ADM’s EPA-approved Class VI sequestration facilities over a mile underground. Broadwing is expected to begin commercial operations in 2030.
Google views this project as the first in a long-term collaboration with I Squared and LCI to develop future CCS facilities in the U.S. and demonstrate the commercial-scale deployment of CCS projects for power generation.
Jonathan Wiens, CEO of Low Carbon Infrastructure, remarked that Broadwing demonstrates the commercial viability of carbon capture. He emphasised that, alongside I Squared and Google, the project proves that low-carbon power can be both affordable and reliable, while fostering job creation and community investment.
Gautam Bhandari, Global Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at I Squared, added that the partnership highlights how private investment, technological innovation, and corporate energy demand can converge to deliver scalable climate solutions.
