Google and Voltus aim for a 1 GW virtual power plant

On October 22, 2026, Google and Voltus announced an expansion of their agreement to create a virtual power plant targeting 1 GW. Funded by Google, it is intended to relieve pressure on the grid during peak hours in the region served by US grid operator PJM.

PJM covers a region with 67 million residents, across all or parts of 13 US states and Washington, D.C. Growing demand, largely linked to data centers, is contributing to strains on supply, Utility Dive reports.

Equipment across multiple sites

A virtual power plant coordinates equipment across multiple sites. Voltus is to bring together smart thermostats, batteries and industrial equipment. During peak hours, participants can temporarily reduce their consumption or discharge their batteries, freeing up capacity on the grid.

The announced gigawatt corresponds to power that could potentially be brought online at a given moment. It does not measure continuous electricity generation. The capacity is intended for the regional grid and is meant to support the growth of data centers.

Participating households and businesses may receive direct payments or save money on their bills.

A rollout planned over several years

The initial agreement announced on June 2 targeted up to 100 MW over three years. Google presents the expanded project as a tenfold increase, to 1 GW.

For its part, Voltus announced an additional 1,070 MW. Added to the initial ceiling, that would amount to 1,170 MW. The companies’ announcements do not explain how to reconcile these figures.

Voltus CEO Dana Guernsey told Latitude Media that the first 100 MW tranche was filled and oversubscribed. A Voltus spokesperson told Utility Dive that the full ramp-up would take three to four years and that the contract with Google runs through 2040.