unquantifiable. Number of times I’ve considered investing in solar panels: also unquantifiable.
They’re locking up power supplies, you see. Like a squirrel preparing for a particularly brutal winter. The latest acquisition? A deal with Clearway Energy Group for 1.2 gigawatts of carbon-free energy. Which, apparently, is enough to power 700,000 homes. I mean, 700,000 homes. I barely manage to power my toaster. It’s a bit unsettling, isn’t it, that a single corporation needs enough power for an entire city?
Securing the Future (and Avoiding Blackouts)
Clearway Energy Group (CEG), who own Clearway Energy (CWEN), signed three long-term PPAs with Google. Missouri, Texas, West Virginia…it’s a national power grab, really. CEG plans to build over 1 GW of projects this year, with everything coming online in 2027/2028. Good timing, given the projected demand. They’re building, Google’s buying, and I’m…wondering if I should short-sell candles. It’s a solid business model, I suppose. CEG builds, sells to Clearway, recycles capital. Very efficient. And Clearway gets a nice, steady income stream to support its dividend. Currently over 5%, they say. I need a dividend. I really, really need a dividend.
But it’s not just Clearway. Google’s been on a buying spree. Last July, they signed a deal with Brookfield Renewable for 3 GW of hydropower. Hydropower. It feels…old-fashioned, doesn’t it? Like they’re reverting to some sort of Victorian energy solution. And then NextEra Energy. They’re restarting a nuclear plant in Iowa. A nuclear plant. It’s all a bit dramatic, isn’t it? Like a Bond villain’s lair. I’m half expecting a secret underground base to emerge from the Iowa cornfields.
They’ve also formed a partnership with NextEra to build data center campuses with accompanying power generation. It’s all very integrated. Very…controlling. I’m starting to suspect Google doesn’t just want to use electricity. They want to own it. Which, as an investor, is…intriguing. It’s a long-term play, clearly. They’re not thinking about next quarter’s earnings. They’re thinking about the next decade. Something I should probably be doing more of. Instead of obsessing over daily market fluctuations.
Is This a Smart Move? (Or Just Corporate Greed?)
Look, AI is going to be huge. Everyone says so. And it needs power. Lots of it. So, securing the supply is…logical. It locks in costs, it gives them a competitive advantage. It allows them to focus on building those incredibly complex algorithms. Which, let’s be honest, is probably a good thing. Because if AI becomes self-aware, we’re all doomed. And at least Google will have the power to keep the lights on during the robot uprising. (Current level of anxiety regarding AI: critical.)
But it’s also good for Clearway, Brookfield, and NextEra. Steady cash flow, growing dividends. It’s a win-win, really. Except for anyone who thinks corporations should be benevolent and altruistic. Which, admittedly, is a rather naive position. I’m just saying, it’s a clever move. A very, very clever move. And as an investor, I appreciate that. Even if it does make me slightly uneasy. (Number of times I’ve considered selling all my possessions and moving to a remote cabin: increasing daily.)
I’m buying a generator. Just in case.
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2026-01-18 14:15