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Iowa Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across Iowa — updated daily.
Recent Iowa data center news
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What is a data center?
McKinsey has announced a detailed analysis and outlook on the rapid growth and investment needs of data centers driven by AI workloads.
- $6.7 trillion global investment in data centers is projected by 2030, with 70% driven by AI workloads; AI-ready data centers require new infrastructure including power, cooling, and electrical systems.
- Regional challenges include power supply constraints in the US and Europe, labor shortages, and sustainability demands; opportunities exist for investors, real estate firms, and telecom operators to support data center expansion and clean energy integration.
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Protected: Where the Power Flows: The Top 10 Hyperscale Data Centers by Load in North America — Powered by Enverus Instant Analyst™
Enverus has announced insights into the top 10 largest hyperscale data centers by load in North America, highlighting key locations and their energy consumption.
- Top data centers include Microsoft Azure, Meta, Vantage Data Centers, and Colocation America with loads ranging from 590 MW to 1,862 MW.
- Enverus offers tools like Instant Analyst™ and PRISM™ to accelerate data center siting by analyzing power demand, pricing, and land suitability, supporting faster and more informed infrastructure development.
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How Google is driving a new era of American innovation in Iowa.
- Google has announced an additional $7 billion investment in Iowa over the next two years, focused on cloud and AI infrastructure and expanded workforce development programs. The investment specifically includes development of a new data center in Cedar Rapids and an expansion of the existing facility in Council Bluffs, plus funding to support the electrical training ALLIANCE (etA).
- The announcement funds a partnership with electrical training ALLIANCE (etA) to increase the electrical workforce pipeline in Iowa by 95%, and ties into Google’s broader claim of supporting U.S. AI leadership, cybersecurity, and economic opportunity; timelines: $7 billion committed within the next two years and program expansion tied to the Cedar Rapids and Council Bluffs projects.
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Minnesota lawmakers squabble over data centers, possible environmental impacts
Minnesota lawmakers have debated a bipartisan bill to change the permitting processes for data centers in the state, pushed by Sen. Andrew Mathews. The bill aims to loosen restrictions on generator permits, currently limited to emergency use. This has raised concerns among Democrats about potential environmental impacts and the influence of large corporations like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta. Some lawmakers propose legislation to regulate water use and enforce a 65% carbon-free energy supply for data centers, emphasizing the growing energy demands and water usage they entail.
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Landing a data center is worth the environmental tradeoffs, Illinois towns say
The proposed data center by Equinix, Inc., will occupy 340 acres in Minooka, Illinois, requiring 3 million gallons of water daily and 700 megawatts of electricity. This demand constitutes a significant portion of Minooka’s drinkable water allocation. Mayor Ric Offerman stated that the project could generate substantial tax revenue and jobs for the village. However, concerns persist regarding the environmental impact and the state’s commitment to ending fossil fuel use by 2045. Equinix is negotiating to finalize its plans, aiming to begin construction by 2026 and complete the site by 2034.
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Inside the US Data Center Boom: What’s powering the next tech revolution?
US-based tech companies are experiencing a surge in data center demand driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and generative technologies. With data centers expected to triple their share of US power consumption by 2030, firms like Amazon and Microsoft are facing regulatory uncertainties that could impact their infrastructure projects. The anticipated electricity demand from US data centers could reach between 248 TWh and 606 TWh by 2030, necessitating significant new power supply investments equivalent to energizing numerous gas and renewable sources.
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Apple to invest more than $500B in US manufacturing
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Apple to invest more than $500B in US manufacturing
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Black Hills Corp. Reports 2024 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results and Initiates 2025 Earnings Guidance | Black Hills Service Company, LLC
US-based Black Hills Corp. reported its 2024 financial results, highlighting a 4.3% growth in EPS to $3.91. The company increased its five-year capital forecast by 10% to $4.7 billion for 2025-2029, with $1.0 billion allocated for 2025. Significant investments include $350 million for the Ready Wyoming electric transmission expansion project and $118 million for system investments in Kansas Gas. The company also announced new annual revenues from rate reviews: $15 million for Iowa Gas, $25 million for Arkansas Gas, $20 million for Colorado Gas, and $14 million for Wyoming Gas. Black Hills Corp. continues to focus on regulatory and growth initiatives, with a strong commitment to infrastructure investment.
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Multibillion-dollar data center projects to watch