Google’s Bets on Carbon Capture Power Plants, Which Have a Mixed Record
Google is doubling down on its climate commitments with a new investment in a carbon capture power plant in Illinois — a move that has both excited and divided the clean energy community. The project highlights Google’s bets on carbon capture power plants, which have a mixed record when it comes to real-world results.
Image Credits:Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images
A New Step Toward Cleaner Energy
The 400-megawatt natural gas power plant will be built near Decatur, Illinois, next to Archer-Daniels-Midland’s (ADM) ethanol facility. Google plans to purchase most of the plant’s electricity to power its nearby data centers, while ADM will use some of the plant’s steam and energy. The initiative is being developed by Low Carbon Infrastructure, with a goal to capture about 90% of the CO₂ emissions produced.
How Google Plans to Capture Carbon
Captured carbon dioxide will be injected deep underground into the same geological formations already used by ADM’s ethanol plant. This site is notable for hosting the first long-term CO₂ storage well in the U.S., making it a significant choice for Google’s clean energy venture.
However, the site hasn’t been without issues. In 2024, carbon injections were paused after a brine leak was detected in unauthorized zones, according to the EPA. ADM attributed the incident to corrosion in a monitoring well, but operations have since resumed under stricter oversight.
The Promise and Problems of Carbon Capture
While carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are often hailed as a key solution for reducing emissions, their success stories remain limited. Several major CCS facilities worldwide have failed to meet their capture targets, raising questions about scalability and cost-effectiveness.
A recent study found that out of 13 CCS facilities — covering 55% of all captured carbon globally — most are underperforming. For example, ExxonMobil’s Wyoming plant has been capturing 36% less CO₂ than expected, while a Canadian project similar to Google’s captures only about half of its promised emissions.
Why Google Is Taking the Risk
Google’s decision to invest in a project with uncertain outcomes underscores its broader strategy to balance data center growth with environmental accountability. As its AI and cloud operations consume massive amounts of power, the company is seeking innovative ways to offset emissions — even if the technology isn’t yet perfect.
By investing early, Google aims to accelerate improvements in carbon capture infrastructure, possibly helping to make CCS more reliable and cost-efficient in the long run. It’s also part of Google’s broader commitment to operate entirely on carbon-free energy by 2030.
Expert Opinions: Cautious Optimism
Climate experts have praised Google for taking action but caution that CCS alone isn’t a silver bullet. “Carbon capture can help, but it’s not a substitute for transitioning to renewable energy,” said one environmental researcher. “It’s encouraging to see tech companies experimenting, but they must remain transparent about the outcomes.”
Others argue that corporate investments like Google’s could push the CCS industry to innovate faster, improving capture rates and reducing operational issues over time.
Google’s bets on carbon capture power plants, which have a mixed record, reveal a strategic yet risky path forward. If successful, this project could serve as a blueprint for cleaner energy generation that supports the world’s growing digital demands. If not, it will add to the long list of CCS initiatives that failed to deliver on their climate promises.
For now, all eyes are on Illinois — where Google’s latest green gamble will test whether carbon capture can truly live up to its potential.
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