Data center news covering hyperscale buildouts, AI infrastructure demand, power and cooling, colocation providers, and data center economics.
Google has purchased Crusoe Energy's data center site in southeast Wyoming, ending the startup's pre-development work. The acquisition transfers site selection and power strategy to Google, which plans to construct the facility in partnership with Tallgrass Energy, Black Hills Energy, American Electric Power, and Related Digital. This follows Crusoe's failed attempt to secure Google as a customer for a separate 10-gigawatt plan.
Following voter rejection of data center ballot measures, OpenAI released a National Community Compact prohibiting nondisclosure agreements. The company voided NDAs with local officials and promised $80 million in investments in Effingham County, Georgia, and $40 million in Pike County, Ohio, while pledging to cover electricity usage.
Nvidia is in discussions with Apollo Global Management and Brightspeed to convert over 130 old telco buildings into small AI data centers. The proposed sites could deliver approximately 1 gigawatt of compute capacity, leveraging existing power infrastructure that requires additional cooling systems.
Goldman Sachs increased its global data center capacity forecast to 273 gigawatts by 2030, driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure demand. The revision suggests the US will dominate new construction, accounting for roughly two-thirds of global additions, with cumulative capital expenditures potentially reaching $8.5 trillion.
Growing US voter opposition to data center construction is pressuring South Korean power equipment makers reliant on the region's AI infrastructure boom. Of 41 local ballot measures, 28 proposed restrictions, with roughly 70 percent of respondents opposing such projects. This backlash threatens future order momentum for companies like Hyosung Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Electric.
Voters across multiple states rejected datacenter development through bans or moratoriums during Tuesday's midterm elections. Ohio saw the most activity with 21 ballot measures, while Illinois passed seven restrictions against construction. Additional bans were approved in California, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, and Wisconsin amid resource concerns.
Google announced a $17 billion investment to build its first data center in Wyoming despite growing political resistance to such expansions. The project partners include Tallgrass Energy and American Electric Power, utilizing Bloom Energy fuel cells with carbon capture technology.
Le Monde reports on the rapid expansion of data centers in Querétaro, Mexico, highlighting tensions between industrial development and local agrarian communities. The article details how ejido land sales to property developers are displacing farmers, raising concerns about water usage and environmental impact among residents.
The article analyzes Sterling Infrastructure's position within the AI data center sector, arguing that constrained electricity networks and permitting delays create opportunities for specialized infrastructure providers. It cites IEA and CBRE data to suggest that while demand remains strong, profitability depends on navigating construction financing and supply chain challenges amidst massive hyperscaler capital expenditures.
An analyst argues that AI infrastructure development requires new data centers regardless of location, dismissing investor panic over a potential Democratic congressional sweep blocking local construction. The piece contends that geographic constraints are secondary to the fundamental need for power-intensive facilities supporting artificial intelligence growth.