Georgia Data Center News

Feb 20, 2026

Opening Doors: How DataBank Is Helping the Next Generation Discover Data Center Careers

DataBank hosted a career exploration event at its Atlanta facility, opening the doors to nearly 20 young people in partnership with Opportunity Runway.

Event details: Hosted at DataBank’s Atlanta facility on a Saturday; attendees: nearly 20 young people; partners/speakers: Opportunity Runway, Method Experts, PRT Staffing; DataBank staff presenters: Anthony Hayes, Leon LaMar III, Clyde Ward; agenda: data center fundamentals, MEP, cybersecurity, physical security, operations, rack-and-stack; logistics: lunch provided by PRT Staffing.
Background and follow-up: Career pathways highlighted included IBEW apprenticeship/trade routes with $45–$55/hr paid training versus a cited typical four-year college $60,000 starting salary; engagement: many attendees connected with presenters on LinkedIn; Hayes will continue outreach at career fairs and community events with Opportunity Runway.

Feb 12, 2026

Crunching Big Data Into 3D Images Accelerates Discovery

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (NERSC) and the Advanced Light Source (ALS) announced deployment of a Superfacility real-time data streaming pipeline connecting ALS Beamline 8.3.2 to NERSC via ESnet, enabling near-instant 3D micro-CT reconstructions during experiments.

Main announcement/action: The project implements real-time streaming from ALS to NERSC (via ESnet) so micro-CT datasets (often 50 GB+) are reconstructed on NERSC using multiple high-powered GPUs with results available in less than 10 seconds; this capability is the result of a two-year collaborative project involving 30+ contributors and is now in daily production use. The pipeline was developed through NERSC’s NESAP program and integrated by ALS Beamline Controls, Photon Science Computing, and Berkeley Lab IT.
Background and details: The effort built on shared code from APS/Argonne, included updates to beamline data-acquisition software/hardware, and was first demonstrated in production with the Saad Bhamla Lab (Georgia Tech). The team plans to expand the framework to support ptychographic imaging and to combine the pipeline with AI/ML tools for automated image segmentation and analysis.

Feb 6, 2026 · RMI

New Ways to Power Data Centers and Other Large Energy Users

RMI has published an insight brief proposing Bring-Your-Own (BYO) and Clean Transition Tariffs to meet large customers’ energy needs while protecting other ratepayers.

Main action: RMI recommends baseline large load tariffs complemented by voluntary Bring-Your-Own (BYO) and Clean Transition Tariffs to accelerate clean resource deployment and allocate cost/risk to participating large loads. Key concrete examples cited: PJM’s Bring Your Own New Generation Program (proposal for generators greater than 250 MW, board letter dated Jan 16, 2026), Tri-State’s member cooperative self-supply program, Evergy Kansas Large Load Rate Plan settlement including a Clean Energy Choice Rider (settlement document referenced), NV Energy’s Clean Transition Tariff used by Google to procure an enhanced geothermal system toward its 24/7 clean energy goal, and Georgia Power’s 2025 IRP addition of a Customer-Identified Resource (CIR) option to CARES.
Background and details: BYO tariffs are presented as a voluntary pathway alongside a “baseline” large load tariff and can support multiple procurement types (Utility-Owned, Utility-Contracted (sleeved PPA), Customer-Contracted (physical PPA), Customer-Owned/behind-the-meter). The brief advises regulators to require emission impact assessment and reporting, validate inclusion of BYO-procured resources in long-term planning to avoid redundant builds, and consider pairing BYO with interruptible service tariffs and virtual power plants to capture flexibility.

Feb 5, 2026

What’s up with data centers in Minnesota?

Fresh Energy calls on Minnesota regulators and the Public Utilities Commission to adopt policies ensuring data center development benefits Minnesotans and aligns with the state’s 100% clean electricity by 2040 law.

Main announcement / action: Fresh Energy urges the Commission to implement better load forecasting, rate design (large-load tariffs), and transparency on water and behind-the-meter generation to ensure data centers pay their fair share; Minnesota currently has 13 operating data centers with 43 MW of capacity and 12 planned projects totaling 1,120 MW (as of January 2026). Key regulatory actions already in motion include Xcel Energy’s large-load tariff filed July 2025 and the Commission requiring Dakota Electric to file an additional tariff in December 2025.
Background and details: Fresh Energy cites national context such as data center investment growth from $13.8 billion to $41.2 billion per year and nearly 100 GW of proposed behind-the-meter gas plants nationwide; it recommends using IRP updates, stochastic/scenario-based forecasting, and tariff rate classes so utilities do not overbuild infrastructure or shift costs to residential customers.

Jan 30, 2026

The Benefits of Amazon Investments

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a major data center investment and related developments in Mississippi.

Main announcement: AWS announced a $10 billion Madison County project (Jan 2025) covering 1,700 acres across two sites, with 1,000 direct high-tech jobs averaging $80,000 annually, and 6,000–7,000 construction workers needed through 2027; AWS also announced a $3 billion investment in Warren County. The first building is coming online soon, with full construction completion targeted for 2027.
Background and additional details: Local firms have scaled rapidly (e.g., Mighty Fresh expanding from one truck to 14 trucks and adding two more within 90 days at $150,000–$200,000 per vehicle); ABB is investing $40 million to double its Senatobia facility and add 122 jobs; direct AWS suppliers must meet $5 million–$10 million insurance minimums and other requirements; primes listed include Yates Construction, Gray Construction, Haskell, Cupertino Electric, MMR Group, Faith Technologies Inc., and Edwards Electrics.

Jan 30, 2026

Top 20 countries by the number of data centers in 2025

DevelopmentAid publishes an overview of the global data center market, trends, and investment forecasts.

Main summary: The article provides a market overview noting the United States leads with 4,165 data centers (about 3,000 more being built/planned) and estimates the sector could reach US$22.7 billion by 2030 driven by generative AI, cloud services, 5G, and IoT. It cites major investment figures including Google >€5.5 billion (US$6.37 billion) in Germany and a €1 billion project involving Nvidia and Deutsche Telekom.
Background & details: The piece aggregates third-party reports and data (Statista, Axios, McKinsey, JLL, Datum, Baxtel, Global Data Center Hub) and provides regional details: McKinsey’s US$6.7 trillion capex by 2030 (US$5.2 trillion for AI-optimized facilities, US$1.5 trillion for typical IT), Latin America growth from ~US$5bn (2023) to >US$10bn by 2029, and capacity/footprint statistics for countries and hyperscale operators. It is an informational market overview, not a primary announcement of a single new project with implementation timelines.

Jan 29, 2026

Madison, Wis. Joins Growing List of Cities Pausing Data Center Development

The Madison Common Council has approved a one-year moratorium on new large-scale data center development.

Scope & duration: The moratorium applies to new data centers and telecommunications centers larger than 10,000 square feet and will remain in effect for one year; existing facilities and smaller data centers are exempt. The city said the pause will allow staff to review zoning rules, electricity and water use, land use planning, and community benefits before approving additional projects.
Implementation & context: Planning Division Director Meagan Tuttle described the moratorium as a planning tool to develop clearer standards as demand for computing power (driven by artificial intelligence and cloud services) grows; the city plans to engage utilities, environmental experts, developers, and policymakers during the moratorium. The article also references similar moratoria in other U.S. jurisdictions (Coweta County, Douglas County, Clarke County, Springfield Township, St. Charles).

Jan 29, 2026

Wider view of risk, resiliency needed to thrive in an era that promises uncertainty

Facilities Dive reports experts advising facilities managers to broaden disaster preparedness in 2026 to include non-weather risks such as energy insecurity, civil unrest, physical and cyber threats.

Main guidance: Experts (Laurie Gilmer of Facility Engineering Associates; Paul Morgan of JLL) recommend expanding resiliency planning beyond natural disasters to cover energy/IT outages, civil unrest, workplace violence, theft (e.g., copper) and cyber/physical attacks; they emphasize assessing where mechanical/electrical equipment is sited, preparing backup power and enabling remote operations.
Background & specifics:Sedgwick forecasts at least one major U.S. hurricane likely in 2026; California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection forecasts above-normal large fire potential; the EIA projects electricity consumption growth of 1% in 2026 and 3% in 2027 and reports retail electricity price at 13.63¢ per kWh at end-2025; experts note data center demand (including AI data centers) stressing grids (PJM) and growing interest in microgrids, solar + battery systems, VLAN isolation for BMS, smart cameras and advanced security measures.

Jan 26, 2026

How Hyperscale AI Is Remaking the Power Grid

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) reported at PowerGen International that the US has approximately $2.4 trillion in AI data center development underway.

Key announcement: IIR presented at PowerGen International (Jan. 20-22, 2026) that the US accounts for about $2.4 trillion in AI data center development and that global announced and ongoing data center investment ≈ $3.2 trillion; IIR also reported roughly 296 GW of cumulative planned capacity in the US with more than 70 projects ≥ 1 GW and projected US electricity demand rising from ~23 GW (2023) to ~42 GW (today) and on target to surpass 90 GW by 2030.
Details and context: IIR outlined concentration by state (Texas ~$517 billion, Virginia ~$344 billion, Georgia ~$217 billion, Missouri ~$121 billion, Arizona ~$102 billion), noted month-over-month investment velocity (more than $100 billion announced per month over the past year; October 2025 > $350 billion), and described near-term procurement strategies including gas turbines (booked through end of decade), reciprocating engines, BESS, and partnerships on nuclear; timeline compression pressures require many projects to deliver generation and interconnection within 12–24 months.

Jan 23, 2026

Unplugged: Data Centers Embrace Onsite Power to Break Free from the Grid

Bloom Energy has released a new data center power report announcing plans and survey findings.

Bloom Energy report:One-third of hyperscalers and colocation providers plan to bring power production entirely onsite by 2030; demand for onsite power rose 22% versus six months earlier based on a double-blind survey of 152 decision-makers (hyperscalers, colocation developers, utilities, GPU service providers). The report also states over 50% of new data center campuses are expected to exceed 500 MW by 2035 and identifies a power expectation gap where utilities estimate delivery times 1.5–2 years longer than developers anticipate.
Geography and alternatives: The report projects Texas could secure nearly 30% of the US data center market by 2028 and Georgia’s market share to grow by 75%, while established markets (California, Oregon) may decline by more than 50%; it cites fuel cells and behind-the-meter solutions as growing alternatives and references a Research and Markets projection of the fuel cell market reaching $28.4 billion by 2031.

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