Illinois Data Center Intel

Recent Illinois data center news

• Sep 3, 2025

  New Data Center Developments: September 2025

  DataCenterKnowledge published a curated roundup of recent global data center project announcements and large power and financing deals.

  • Key development summary: The roundup details multiple major projects and deals, including Equinix’s new partnerships with Radiant, ULC-Energy, and Stellaria for next-gen nuclear power and expanded solid-oxide fuel cell use with Bloom Energy; Caterpillar agreed with Joule Capital Partners to provide 4 GW of CHP power for a planned Utah campus (target launch sometime next year); Meta’s Hyperion Louisiana campus is expected to consume up to 5 GW; CoreWeave bought a 102-acre campus for $322 million; Vantage revealed plans to invest over $25 billion in a 1.4 GW / 1,200-acre Texas campus; EdgeConneX and Lambda are developing a 30+ MW dual-city AI data center in Chicago and Atlanta; Oracle / Elea / Rio de Janeiro target 1.5 GW by 2027 (expandable to 3.2 GW by 2032) for ‘Rio AI City’.
  • Background and technical/financial details: The article frames projects against record-breaking demand and grid limitations; it notes energy and cooling approaches such as CHP and captured waste heat, solid-oxide fuel cells, high-voltage battery storage, and CDC Australia’s proposed 200 MW campus with a closed-loop zero-water primary cooling system. It also lists financing and deal figures: QTS announcing a $10 billion campus, STACK investing $1.66 billion in Johor, NEXTDC adding A$3.5 billion new debt within A$6.4 billion total facilities, and Keppel raising $4.9 billion this year toward a $150 billion funds target by 2030.
• Aug 18, 2025

  Data Centers Need Own Power Supply, US Grid Watchdog Says

  Monitoring Analytics recommended that large data centers be required to bring their own generation.

  • Main action: Monitoring Analytics, the independent market monitor, in its quarterly report released August 14, recommends that large data centers be required to bring their own generation (i.e., supply their own power). The recommendation follows the monitor’s prior position suggesting developers build their own power plants due to insufficient spare capacity on PJM.
  • Background/details: The recommendation targets the PJM grid, which stretches across 13 states from Virginia to Illinois and hosts the highest concentration of data centers. The report states the current supply of capacity in PJM is not adequate for large data center demand and warns of very high costs for other PJM customers if unaddressed; PJM says it is working with stakeholders to address an imbalance driven by unprecedented growth in electricity use.
• Jul 30, 2025

  Climate Change Solutions - July 29, 2025

  The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) newsletter highlights recent climate change solutions, legislative updates, and upcoming events.

  • Innovative technologies such as AI-driven disaster resilience tools by U.S. National Laboratories and upgraded air filters to reduce wildfire smoke injuries are featured.
  • Legislative progress includes the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act passed by the House, the La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act advancing with job creation and solar capacity details, and the Fire Ready Nation Act advancing in the Senate to enhance wildfire forecasting.
  • Upcoming briefings focus on Ohio River restoration and the intersection of AI and climate policy.
  • The newsletter also provides links to recordings of the 28th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and related policy forums.
  • EESI President Daniel Bresette is quoted on energy and AI topics; contact details and social media links for EESI are provided.
• Jul 25, 2025

  Amazon Scraps €300M New Irish Plant in Blow to State

  Amazon Web Services has cancelled plans for a new €300 million facility in Dublin due to power supply and grid connection delays.

  • AWS investment cancellation linked to inability to secure timely electricity grid connection, impacting plans for high-tech server rack production.
  • Irish government has approved a €112 billion infrastructure plan to 2030 addressing housing, energy, and water constraints; business groups like Ibec and the American Chamber of Commerce emphasize urgent need for infrastructure improvements to support foreign investment and technology sectors.
• Jul 16, 2025

  Climate Change Solutions - July 15, 2025

  The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) recaps recent U.S. climate and energy policy developments, including new legislation, issue briefs, and upcoming events.

  • Reconciliation package (P.L. 119-21) signed into law on July 4, 2025, ending or curtailing tax incentives for energy efficiency, renewables, and electric vehicles.
  • Congressional committees advanced bills on algal bloom mitigation, precision agriculture, coastal data, and wildfire resilience; EESI published briefs on critical minerals, data center water use, and recapped 60 climate-related hearings from May-June 2025.
• Jun 25, 2025

  LG Energy Solutions opens LFP battery cell manufacturing plant in Michigan

• May 22, 2025

  Summit Ridge Energy building 5.1-MW solar project supporting Illinois data centers

• Apr 24, 2025

  VanTran and MGM Transformers Strengthen U.S. Energy Supply Chain with Texas Expansion

  MGM Transformers and VanTran Transformers have opened a new 430,000 sq. ft. advanced manufacturing facility in Waco, Texas.

  • The new plant is projected to create 700 high-quality American jobs over five years.
  • This expansion increases domestic production capacity by over $1 billion annually, focusing on liquid-filled transformers for data centers, renewable energy, EV charging, and utilities.
  • The combined company aims to reduce lead times, enhance US energy infrastructure, and advance electrification goals.
  • The facility strengthens national supply chain resilience by reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
    This expansion reinforces US industrial resilience and supports energy transition infrastructure initiatives.
• Apr 18, 2025

  In case you missed it: Six big solar stories in the news this week

  This summary highlights recent U.S. solar energy policy changes, investments, and market challenges.

  • The Texas Senate passed a bill imposing permit restrictions, fees, and regulatory requirements on solar and wind projects.
  • Apollo and Summit Ridge Energy launched a $400 million joint venture portfolio of solar assets in Illinois.
  • Solar cells remain subject to existing import tariffs, clarifying government policy on trade measures.
  • Sunnova, a residential solar company, plans to auction $17 million worth of energy storage equipment.
  • Idaho Power grid’s largest solar installation supports a data center and includes community workforce scholarships.
  • U.S. solar market experts expressed concerns beyond tariffs, including antidumping investigations and labor prevention acts.

  The developments indicate ongoing regulatory, investment, and market dynamics shaping the U.S. solar sector.

• Apr 18, 2025

  Graycor hires construction vet to lead Southwest division

  Graycor Construction has appointed Brett Helm as general manager of its Southwest Division based in Phoenix.

  • Helm brings 30 years of industry experience to support the warehouse and distribution portfolio.
  • Focus areas include advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, data centers, and strategic portfolio growth.
  • Graycor highlights Phoenix’s advantage for data centers due to lower power costs and reduced natural disaster risks.
  • Key regional projects by Graycor include Elliot Gateway industrial park, Rinchem chemical warehouses, Mlily manufacturing and distribution facility, and SkyBridge Arizona cargo processing site.
    The appointment and focus confirm Graycor’s commitment to infrastructure growth in the Southwest region.