NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) is making aggressive moves to capture the explosive growth in AI-driven power demand, announcing a flurry of partnerships and deals that position the company at the center of America's energy infrastructure buildout.
Google Cloud Partnership Goes Big
NextEra Energy and Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOGL) Google Cloud just expanded their existing energy and technology partnership in a major way. The two companies announced Monday they'll develop multiple new gigawatt-scale data center campuses along with all the generation and capacity needed to power them.
Here's what makes this interesting: they're not just building power infrastructure. NextEra Energy is using Google Cloud AI and infrastructure for its own enterprise-wide digital transformation, accelerating the company's technology innovation and AI deployment. Then they plan to take what they learn and turn it into commercial products that speed up data center buildouts across the energy sector.
NextEra Energy expects to launch its first commercial product in the Google Cloud Marketplace by mid-2026.
The companies will jointly develop multiple GW-scale data center campuses across the United States. Their collaboration enables rapid development of land, load interconnection, and generation to support continued growth. Three campuses are already under development, with additional locations and expansions being explored.
This builds on an already substantial partnership. Together, they operate or have contracted approximately 3.5 GW of power. Recent announcements include the restart of the Duane Arnold Energy Center and two new long-term power purchase agreements that add 600 MW of clean energy in Oklahoma.
Meta Doubles Down on Clean Energy
Not to be outdone, Meta Platforms Inc. (META) locked in approximately 2.5 gigawatts of clean energy contracts with NextEra Energy. That's a massive commitment coming from 11 power purchase agreements and two energy storage agreements.
Through these deals, NextEra is delivering 2.1 GW of clean energy via nine solar projects spread across three major U.S. markets: ERCOT, SPP, and MISO. All of this directly supports Meta's data center operations, which are growing rapidly as the company invests heavily in AI infrastructure.
In New Mexico alone, NextEra is providing 190 megawatts of solar energy and 168 MW of battery storage through four projects.
The 13 projects are scheduled to come online between 2026 and 2028. They're expected to create up to 2,440 construction jobs while driving local economic growth and accelerating technological innovation in the regions where they're built.
Natural Gas Gets Some Love Too
While clean energy grabs the headlines, NextEra Energy Resources also agreed to acquire Symmetry Energy Solutions from Energy Capital Partners. This acquisition enhances the company's customer supply business, strengthens its natural gas capabilities, and deepens customer relationships.
The move positions NextEra Energy Resources as a more comprehensive energy provider, able to meet diverse customer needs as America's energy landscape evolves.
North Dakota Nuclear and Gas Expansion
NextEra Energy Resources and Basin Electric Power Cooperative signed a memorandum of understanding to explore building a new combined-cycle natural gas generation facility in North Dakota. The proposed facility would provide 1,450 MW specifically for multi-gigawatt data center campuses.
The project would create jobs, generate tax revenue, and minimize rate impacts for existing customers. NextEra continues demonstrating its commitment to North Dakota, where it's invested over $3.7 billion since 2003.
On the nuclear front, the company extended its electricity supply agreement with WPPI Energy from the Point Beach Nuclear Plant into the 2050s. This ensures carbon-free baseload power for 51 utilities across Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan for decades to come.
Market Performance Reflects AI Optimism
NextEra Energy stock has gained 16% year-to-date, driven by surging demand for clean energy from AI and data centers, plus strategic partnerships like the expanded Google Cloud deal that signal the company's central role in powering America's technology future.
NEE Price Action: NextEra Energy shares were up 2.79% at $85.45 during premarket trading on Monday, approaching the stock's 52-week high of $87.53.