Google has announced a collaboration with Cypress Creek Energy and local community members in Mississippi County, Arkansas, to develop its largest solar and battery storage project to date. The Steel River Energy Center will harness renewable energy to power 315,000 homes, boosting the local economy with jobs and using 100% American-made steel.
The groundbreaking event, attended by local leaders and community members, marked the start of the Steel River Energy Center, which will be the largest solar facility in the United States. The project aims to support local economic development by reinvesting in the workforce and industrial capabilities of the area, ensuring long-term benefits for the local economy.
Google, as a primary investor and energy offtaker, will assist in the initial phases of the project. This will bring 1.6 GWdc of solar power and 1.9 GWh of battery storage to the regional grid. Once fully operational by 2029, the entirety of the project’s three phases will contribute 2.5 GWdc of solar power and 2.9 GWh of battery storage, providing enough energy to meet the annual needs of over 315,000 homes.
The project is significant not only for its scale but also for its use of local resources. The Steel River Energy Center is being constructed with U.S.-manufactured steel, supplied from U.S. Steel’s Big River facility and produced at PACO Steel’s plant in Arkansas. This approach highlights a commitment to supporting American manufacturing industries.
Clean energy initiatives like Steel River are synonymous with economic growth, having supported over 1.4 million jobs in 2025, and are fostering domestic industry innovations. The construction of the facility will create around 700 local jobs and is expected to contribute approximately $300 million in taxes over its lifespan.
Beyond energy production, Google is investing $5 million in energy affordability programs for Arkansas residents and educational efficiency projects. These investments will fund community solar subscriptions for low-income families, home weatherization, and energy-saving improvements in schools.
Google’s efforts with the Steel River Energy Center are a step forward in providing clean, affordable power while fostering economic growth in the communities they operate. The project’s scale showcases Arkansas’s innovation and workforce, moving closer to a sustainable energy future.
