Apex Clean Energy, a US renewable energy developer, has signed a power purchase agreement with Google to supply the entire capacity of its 189MW Timbermill Wind project in North Carolina.

To be built in Chowan County, the wind farm will entail an investment of $350m. It will be powered by 45 wind turbines, each with 4.2MW of capacity.

Timbermill Wind will meet the needs of 47,000 households annually.

The power generated will support Google’s data centres on the PJM grid, facilitating the tech giant’s 2030 goal to operate with carbon-free energy.

Google energy senior lead Donna Calderon stated: “Within the decade we have an ambitious goal for every Google data centre to operate on clean electricity, every hour of every day.

“We are excited to work with Apex for the first time, to not only add wind power to one of the most difficult grids to decarbonise but also to bring additional clean energy jobs to North Carolina.”

Apex Clean Energy CEO Ken Young stated: “Timbermill Wind demonstrates the Apex team’s unmatched ability to execute on our expansive portfolio, even in a region notoriously difficult to advance wind power.

“Alongside Google, with shared values and an ambitious perspective of its role in the energy transition, we are pleased to deliver this best-in-class project – one only achievable through this strong collaboration.”

The project has secured all relevant permits from local, state and federal jurisdictions. It is expected to contribute $33m in tax revenue to the county.

Construction work began in May 2023. During the construction period, more than 150 local jobs could be created.

Apex chose Wanzek Construction as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project.

Turbine deliveries will begin in 2024 and full commercial operations are anticipated between 2024 and 2025.