Google has already contributed more than $1 billion to renewable energy projects, taken steps to produce wind power near data centers, and installed solar panels at its corporate headquarters. But it's not finished yet.
The search giant today announced plans for a $600 million expansion of its Lenoir, N.C., data center (pictured) which, in partnership with local electricity provider Duke Energy, will allow Google to sell renewable power to large companies.
Duke will file the proposal with the North Carolina Utilities Commission within 90 days.
The move makes sense for Google, which can provide its service to a range of customers, since most utilities do not currently offer a renewable energy option, Google's Global Infrastructure director Gary Demasi said in a blog post.
In a white paper published today outlining Google's expectations for its "renewable energy tariffs," the company said the tariff will initially apply to large commercial and industrial customers, and is aimed at eliminating what Google called "the complexities of intermittent renewable energy production for customers."
Pricing, meanwhile, should be transparent, the company said, and any additional costs or fees should be specified early, before customers decide to participate.
The plan isn't without its challenges, though. As Demasi pointed out, companies will need to work out the mechanics of the service within their local regulatory structure, state utility commissions will often need to approve the programs, and cost-effective renewable projects may be tough to find.
The plan drew praise from Greenpeace, which has criticized Google rivals like Apple and Amazon for their approach to green energy.
"Google's announcement shows what forward-thinking companies can accomplish when they are serious about powering their operations with clean energy," Greenpeace International Senior IT analyst Gary Cook said in a statement.
"Done right, this Renewable Tariff program could help North Carolina finally begin to realize the benefits of a clean energy revolution, which Duke has blocked in the past," Cook said. "As Google powers more of its data center fleet with clean energy, it sends a signal to other IT companies and electric utilities around the world that renewable energy is not only possible, but also smart business in the 21st century economy."
"Both business and customers want more renewable energy," Cook said, "and those states that do not have the policies to meet this demand will lose the business of companies of the future to those states who do."
Greenpeace will release its 2013 ranking of Google and 20 other global IT brands on their climate and clean energy leadership on Wednesday.