Georgia Data Center News

Jan 5, 2026

Microsoft’s strategic AI datacenter planning enables seamless, large-scale NVIDIA Rubin deployments

Microsoft / Azure announced at CES 2026 that Azure datacenters are already engineered and validated to deploy NVIDIA’s next-generation Vera Rubin NVL72 platform across existing and future Fairwater AI superfactories.

Main announcement & deployment details: Azure will integrate NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72 racks across Fairwater sites (named current examples: Wisconsin and Atlanta, plus future locations). Rubin hardware claims 50 PF NVFP4 per chip and 3.6 EF NVFP4 per rack (a five times jump versus GB200 NVL72), and Azure states it has redesigned rack architecture, power, cooling, and topology (including NVLink and ConnectX-9 support) for immediate deployability.
Background & platform validation: Azure cites years of co-design with NVIDIA (Ampere, Hopper, GB200/GB300 NVL72 deployments), operation of the world’s largest commercial InfiniBand deployments, and platform components such as NVIDIA NVLink (~260 TB/s), NVIDIA ConnectX-9 (1,600 Gb/s), Azure Boost, CycleCloud/AKS orchestration, liquid-cooling Heat Exchanger Units, HSM silicon offloads, and regional AI superfactory design as the basis for validated integration.

Jan 5, 2026

Inside MAGA’s worldwide campaign to undermine climate science

DeSmog reports that MAGA-aligned actors and allies of the Trump administration enacted a coordinated anti-climate and pro-fossil-fuel agenda in 2025 that reached into US regulatory policy, European politics, Big Tech, and data-centre expansion.

Main action: The report documents concrete moves including the U.S. DOE convening climate-skeptic panels and producing a report that experts called “junk science”, the EPA launching an effort to rescind its CO2 “endangerment finding”, and legislative changes such as the “Big Beautiful Bill” removing tax credits for wind and solar (efforts credited in part to Alex Epstein and Americans for Prosperity). Key named actors include Chris Wright (U.S. Energy Secretary), the Heritage Foundation / Project 2025, and tech leaders interacting with the administration.
Background and specifics: The article cites corporate and financial actions and ties: a claimed $500 million transition loan offered to Alberta separatists (as claimed by Dennis Modry), and Blackstone’s $13.4 billion (£10 billion) AI data-centre project in the UK (reported to include a fleet of backup diesel generators). It also documents Big Tech and AI industry engagement (Google, OpenAI, Nvidia) with administration figures and the linkage between data-centre growth and new fossil-fuel plants in U.S. states (e.g., over 100 gas plants in Texas linked to AI demand).

Jan 2, 2026

State Broadband Bills of 2025: A Legislative Review

State legislatures across the United States enacted and considered broadband-related legislation in 2025; fewer than 140 of more than 600 proposed bills became law.

Main actions: States enacted laws prioritizing infrastructure and permitting reforms, pole and rights-of-way access, criminal penalties for theft/vandalism, state broadband funding, and data center incentives. Notable enacted measures include Hawaii H 934 (established a state Broadband Office and programs, enacted in June and backed by $400 million in combined funding), West Virginia SB 907 (expanded the Economic Development Project Fund to allow up to $25 million annually for broadband incentives and up to $125 million annually for broadband loan insurance) and West Virginia HB 2014 (signed in April; created microgrid districts with zoning/permitting exemptions and special property tax treatment for qualifying projects).
Additional details and timelines: States also raised criminal penalties (e.g., Oklahoma classified willful damage to a critical infrastructure facility as a Class D3 felony with fines up to $100,000 and prison up to 10 years; Louisiana authorized fines up to $50,000 and prison up to 20 years; California AB 476 increased penalties for knowingly buying illegally obtained scrap metal to $5,000). Other enacted programs include California SB 338 (a $2 million telehealth pilot), New Mexico SB 126 (Rural USF increased from $30 million to $40 million), and Oregon’s device support up to $100 in Lifeline-related assistance. At least 37 states passed data center incentives in 2025 and over 1,000 AI-focused bills were introduced nationwide, with ~38 states adopting or enacting roughly 100 AI measures in 2025.

Jan 2, 2026

Transformers in 2026: Shortage, Scramble, or Self-Inflicted Crisis?

Wood Mackenzie and POWER report that U.S. transformer supply remains structurally out of balance, with multi-year deficits in large power and generator step-up units even as manufacturers commit major North American investments.

Main findings and actions:Wood Mackenzie estimates a 30% shortfall for power transformers and 10% for distribution units in 2025, with demand increases since 2019 of 119% for power transformers and 274% for GSUs; lead times average 128 weeks for power transformers and 144 weeks for GSUs. Despite nearly $1.8 billion–$2.0 billion in announced North American manufacturing investments since 2023, major corporate commitments include Hitachi Energy (over $1 billion continental, CA$270 million Varennes expansion, $457 million South Boston, VA project due by 2028, $106 million Alamo, TN expansion), Siemens Energy ($150 million Charlotte plant, production targeted early 2027), Eaton ($340 million South Carolina facility targeting 2027), Prolec GE (more than $300 million), Virginia Transformer Corp. ($40 million), ERMCO (>$70 million), and Central Moloney ($50 million). Unit prices have also climbed: power transformers +77%, GSUs +45%, some distribution up to 95%.
Background, policy, and procurement details: Federal trade measures (copper tariffs up to 50%, expanded Section 232 steel/aluminum duties) and the budget package nicknamed “One Big Beautiful Bill” (phasing down some renewables credits and tightening FEOC rules) have raised input costs and domestic‑content constraints; federal/state incentives and site support are driving reshoring to Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and elsewhere. Counterpoints include broker Patrick Tarver of Bolt Electrical LLC, who argues “There is not a shortage” and attributes delays to utility/EPC procurement practices (qualification lists, vendor rules) rather than factory capacity; Tarver says he can deliver standard substation transformers in 12 to 14 months and typically charges 12%–15% over factory cost.

Dec 30, 2025

Year in Review: EPC Burns & McDonnell on data centre demand, FEOC and energy density

Burns & McDonnell discusses its 2025 review and forecasts for 2026, highlighting data centre demand, supply-chain shifts, safety standards, and evolving battery technologies.

Main announcement/action: Burns & McDonnell (a US EPC) reports it has delivered more than 3GWh of BESS projects to date and highlights a new market push into data centres, the rise of BYOB (Bring Your Own Batteries) for commercial/industrial loads, and expectation that FEOC rules begin impacting procurement in 2026. Key timelines: FEOC-related sourcing changes starting 2026, with domestic content percentages tightening toward 2029.
Background and details: The firm emphasises safety standards (empirical test data from UL 9540A and CSA-800), a 2025 surplus of global battery manufacturing capacity after flattened EV sales, greater competitiveness of LFP vs NMC chemistries, and investment in field tools and integrated EPC approaches to speed deployment and streamline construction.

Dec 27, 2025

Anonymous money fuels $5 million in attacks on Georgia’s Lt. Gov. Burt Jones

Georgians for Integrity has spent around $5 million on television ads, mailers and texts attacking Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, alleging self-dealing tied to a major data center project.

Main action: The group “Georgians for Integrity” (incorporated in Delaware on Nov. 24) has dumped around $5 million into TV ads, mailers and texts since Thanksgiving; the ads accuse Lt. Gov. Burt Jones of enabling eminent domain to benefit his family’s interest linked to a $10 billion, 11 million sq ft data center development (per DCA filings). The Jones campaign has threatened legal action and calls the ads “fabricated trash.”
Background & details: The entity is registered as a nonprofit social welfare organization (can hide donors); paperwork lists an Atlanta mailbox, media buyer Alex Roberts (Park City, Utah) and lawyer Kimberly Land (Columbus, Ohio). The Georgia Republican Party filed a complaint with the State Ethics Commission alleging violations of Georgia campaign finance law; legal context references the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United precedent and commentary from the Campaign Legal Center.

Dec 22, 2025

Top 5 Data Center Industry Trends and Predictions for 2026

Melissa Reali (Data Center Frontier) assesses top data center, AI and digital infrastructure trends for 2025 and issues predictions for what will determine winners in 2026.

Main assessment: The piece argues that data centers must secure power independence, policy alignment, connectivity, supply certainty, and sophisticated capital stacks to deliver AI-scale capacity. It highlights concrete metrics and commitments including ~30% of sites using onsite power by 2030 (Bloom Energy citation), >650 billion dollars in announced AI/data center capex across ~150 projects, and ~170 billion dollars of PE-owned assets in development or repositioning. It also notes state-level incentives (e.g., Texas committing over a billion dollars in data center subsidies in a single year) and that 15 U.S. states tie incentives to job or environmental metrics.
Background and details: The article documents measurable supply-chain and grid constraints—multi-year transformer and switchgear lead times, lengthening interconnection queues, and modular on-site generation deployments (gas turbines, fuel cells, batteries) as transitional solutions. It describes policy shifts: federal directives to streamline permitting and extend financial tools, encouragement to reuse federal lands/brownfields, and the rise of sovereign AI zones in countries including the UK, India, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.

Dec 19, 2025

Georgia Regulators Approve Huge Electric Generation Increase for Data Centers

Georgia Power Co. announced a plan to increase generating capacity by 50% after the Georgia Public Service Commission voted 5-0 that the expansion is needed to meet projected data center demand.

Main announcement and terms: Georgia Power seeks roughly 10,000 megawatts of new capacity (80% expected to serve data centers) with an estimated construction cost of $16.3 billion and staff projecting customers will pay $50 billion to $60 billion over coming decades (including interest and guaranteed profit). The company agreed that after the current rate freeze ends in 2028 it will use revenue from new customers to place “downward pressure” on rates through 2031, amounting to at least $8.50/month ($102/year) in relief for a typical residential customer starting in 2029; current typical residential bills exceed $175/month.
Background and conditions: Commissioners voted despite staff earlier calling parts of the forecast speculative; two Democrats who opposed the vote (Peter Hubbard, Alicia Johnson) will take office Jan. 1. Opponents raised enforcement and climate concerns over new natural-gas-fired generation and warned customers could be left on the hook if projected demand fails to materialize. Commission staff said if demand is lower than projected Georgia Power must drop wholesale purchase agreements, close least-efficient plants, and seek additional customers.

Dec 18, 2025

T5 Services Scales Rapidly as Third-Party Demand for Integrated Data Center Delivery Accelerates

T5 Services, a T5 Data Centers company, has announced record 2025 growth and expanded operational scale driven by third-party demand for integrated data center delivery across hyperscale, cloud, and AI markets.

Revenue grew from $87 million (2021) to $1.6 billion (2025), supported by more than 200 T5 professionals and ~6,000 subcontract and trade personnel, delivering 750 MW of data center capacity and 2 million sq ft of mission-critical space, plus over 1,000 training hours annually to reinforce safety and operational excellence.
T5 Operations expanded its third-party management platform from ~50 to 77 data centers across the U.S. and Europe, now supporting over 4 GW of capacity at 75+ customer-owned sites, enabling upgrades, expansions, and retrofits in fully energized environments without interrupting customer operations as AI and higher power densities intensify infrastructure requirements.

Dec 18, 2025

Calls for US Data Center Freeze Grow as Local Enthusiasm Melts

Senator Bernie Sanders has called for a national moratorium on new data center construction, urging Congress to slow AI expansion and involve more people in decisions about AI’s future.

Main action and scope:Sen. Bernie Sanders publicly advocated a national moratorium on data center construction; more than 200 environmental organizations (via a letter) also called for a moratorium citing impacts on water resources, electricity consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions; Data Center Watch reports $64 billion in data center plans have been blocked or delayed by local activism in the last two years.
Background and additional details: Federal debate is split—Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, and Richard Blumenthal are investigating links between data center power usage and rising consumer bills and have sent letters to major hyperscalers (Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta, CoreWeave, Digital Realty, Equinix); the Trump administration and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright have pushed for accelerated permitting and less state regulation; a Carnegie Mellon University study projects data center and crypto growth could raise average U.S. electricity costs ~8% by 2030 (with regional spikes, e.g., >25% in Virginia).

Georgia Data Center Intel

Recent Georgia data center news