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Georgia Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across Georgia — updated daily.
Recent Georgia data center news
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Data center vacancy rate hits record low in H1 2024 as power supply challenges persist
In H1 2024, data center vacancy rates hit record lows due to power supply challenges and longer electrical infrastructure lead times, per CBRE. Atlanta’s under-construction activity rose 76%, leading primary markets. Rental rates are expected to climb. Hyperscale data development is notable in tertiary markets like Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin; Boise, Idaho; and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
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How data centers are being used to bypass clean energy goals
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm attended the Plant Vogtle ribbon cutting in Georgia, celebrating it as the largest clean energy facility amidst discontent over its $36 billion cost and budget overruns. Despite this, Georgia Power received approval to build new gas and coal plants to meet data center demands, sparking protests from Microsoft and the Department of Defense. Recommendations include performance-based regulation to shift incentives towards cleaner energy solutions.
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It’s time to stop fretting about load growth and get serious about demand-side solutions
Georgia Power’s 2023 plan predicts significant near-term load growth, prompting proposals for natural gas plants and modest demand response. Microsoft challenges these forecasts. Nationwide, data centers and electrification drive demand increases, but fossil-fuel solutions conflict with net-zero goals. Experts like Alison Silverstein advocate for demand-side approaches, highlighting their cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
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EIA prepares for second attempt to survey bitcoin miners about electricity consumption
The EIA is planning a new survey on bitcoin miners’ electricity consumption following industry feedback. Concerns over data use were raised by Tom Mapes of the Digital Energy Council and Margot Paez, a researcher at Georgia Tech. Lee Bratcher from the Texas Blockchain Council supports industry transparency for demonstrating benefits like grid stabilization and renewable energy incentives. The sector holds potential for grid services and demand response, with crypto’s energy use issues needing further study.
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Microsoft plows $3.3B into data center at former Foxconn site
Microsoft is investing $3.3 billion in a data center at a former Foxconn site in Mount Pleasant. The project aims to create 2,300 jobs by 2025. To address power constraints, Microsoft is partnering with National Grid Renewables to build a 250-megawatt solar project in Wisconsin. The data center will utilize a closed-loop cooling system to recycle water, addressing environmental concerns. Builders and contractors like MasTec and Jacobs Solutions are eyeing opportunities in this expanding sector.
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Oracle, Google and Meta lead data center construction surge
Data center construction surged in the second half of 2023, with companies like Oracle, Google, and Meta leading the way. Larry Ellison of Oracle emphasized improving construction efficiency. Meta chose Turner Construction for an $800 million data center in Indiana, while Microsoft’s $1 billion data center in Wisconsin is underway.
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Tracking electricity consumption from U.S. cryptocurrency mining operations
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Silicon Ranch to work with data centers in Nevada and Utah to site solar projects nearby
Silicon Ranch is partnering with data center developer Tract to strategically site solar projects near data centers in Nevada and Utah. The collaboration aims to enable data centers to build green campuses more quickly and reduce development risk. Silicon Ranch will initiate site acquisition and interconnection processes for utility-scale solar and battery projects, exceeding 500 MW, to support data centers on Tract campuses. This collaboration recognizes the evolving needs of hyperscale data centers and aims to provide a next-generation solution by combining shovel-ready development sites with pre-positioned renewable generation.
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Holder Construction gets $1.9B Arizona data center job
Atlanta-based Holder Construction has been chosen by EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure to build its $1.9 billion data center campus in Mesa, Arizona. The campus will be water-neutral and capable of supporting a minimum of 450 megawatts of critical load across 3.1 million square feet of space. EdgeCore has already completed a $1.9 billion debt financing transaction to fund the development. The campus will use an air-cooled design and a closed-loop chilled water system to achieve benchmark water and power usage effectiveness ratings.
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Survey signals warning for data center construction
Data center construction activity is slowing down, with only 10% reporting an increase in proposal opportunities, per PSMJ. However, Raul Martynek of Databank predicts robust growth in this sector. CBRE reports record-high capacity in U.S. primary markets, with significant demand evidenced by pre-leasing activities. Supply chain issues are affecting construction timelines. Microsoft and Meta are investing heavily in data centers.