WEIRTON — A Minnesota-based Google data center will have some backup from a local source.

According to officials, Form Energy will deploy a 300-megawatt and 30 gigawatt-hour multi-day iron air battery system to Pine Island, Minn., with Xcel Energy to assist in powering the new data center.

At 30 GWh, this is the largest single-site battery system by energy capacity announced globally to date.

“It also marks Form Energy’s first deployment supporting a data center — demonstrating the unique value of 100-hour iron-air batteries in meeting the 24/7 energy needs of the AI economy,” Form officials explain.

The storage project is part of a broader agreement between Xcel and Google. Under the agreement, Xcel will supply power to the facility and build out 1,900 MW of new clean energy resources funded by Google. Form’s 100-hour batteries will provide firm capacity and strengthen grid reliability during multi-day stress events.

“Data centers are the backbone of the 21st century economy, and we’re excited to work with Google to advance the prosperity of our region and ensure our current customers benefit,” said Bria Shea, president of Xcel Energy-Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. “This unique agreement is a model for data center partnerships in that it fulfills and protects Minnesota’s goals for a carbon-free future and drives investment deep into our communities — all while ensuring our current customers are not paying more for this growing demand.”

The batteries for this project will be made at Form Factory 1 in Weirton.

“Form Factory 1 has already started commercial production and is on track to reach a production capacity of 500 MW per year by 2028 — positioning us to deliver projects of this scale as demand accelerates,” company officials note.

Google will cover any new grid infrastructure costs associated with the project and has planned with Xcel Energy to ensure electricity in the area remains reliable and affordable for all of Xcel Energy’s customers.

A Clean Energy Accelerator Charge will provide for 1,400 MW of wind, 200 MW of solar and 300 MW of long-duration energy storage, along with a $50 million investment toward Xcel Energy’s Capacity Connect Program, which will help drive reliability on the grid. The additional generation will help advance Xcel Energy beyond its current energy mix of 70% carbon-free electricity.

“Our commitment to Minnesota goes beyond building infrastructure; it’s about being a responsible partner, neighbor, and a good citizen of the grid,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, head of data center energy at Google. “This agreement supports our goal of expanding AI and cloud capabilities in a way that provides long-term value to the places we operate. By integrating new carbon-free energy and pioneering long-duration storage with Xcel Energy, we are helping to build a more resilient system that benefits the entire community.”

The Electric Service Agreement will be filed for review with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in the coming weeks. The MPUC must formally approve the agreement between Xcel Energy and Google to supply power to the site.