Google.org will invest "hundreds of millions'' in companies specializing in renewable energy, Page said. The philanthropic arm, which sits under the umbrella of the Google Foundation, will draw upon its holdings of nearly $2 billion (euro1.34 billion) worth Google's stock, which gained $7.57 Tuesday to close at $673.57.

Google.org already is working with two outside companies: Pasadena-based eSolar Inc., which specializes in solar thermal power and Alameda-based Makani Power Inc., which specializes in wind power