By water use, Google's Botetourt site would be its 8th largest data center complex in the world
Google's upcoming data center in Botetourt County, Virginia, is projected to be one of its largest globally based on water usage, with initial plans for 2 million gallons per day. Local opposition has focused on water consumption, though the article provides context on overall regional water use and Google's efforts to replenish water. The facility's high energy demands are also noted, leading Google to invest in diverse non-carbon energy sources.
Google's planned data center in Botetourt County, Virginia, is set to become its sixth largest in the U.S. and eighth globally, based on a contracted water usage of 2 million gallons per day, totaling 730 million gallons annually. These figures are derived from the company's recent 2026 environmental report, which also indicates potential expansion to 8 million gallons daily, making it the company's largest worldwide at current rates.
Opposition in Botetourt has primarily rallied around the data center's water consumption, despite arguments that the Roanoke Valley's overall water use remains lower than two decades prior. Google's environmental report details increased water and electricity usage, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, all driven by the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure. However, Google also highlights efforts to replenish water, reporting 78% of its 2025 freshwater consumption was replenished through stewardship programs, even as total usage rose.
The article also addresses the substantial electricity demands of data centers, particularly those supporting AI, and Google's strategies to meet these needs. Google is partnering with NextEra to reopen the Duane Arnold Energy Center, a nuclear plant in Iowa, aiming to provide 600 megawatts of