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Massachusetts Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across Massachusetts — updated daily.
Recent Massachusetts data center news
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Confronting the AI/energy conundrum
The MIT Energy Initiative held a symposium addressing the rapid growth of AI-powered computing centers and their significant electricity demand, alongside AI’s potential to aid the clean energy transition.
- AI computing centers currently consume about 4% of U.S. electricity, potentially rising to 12-15% by 2030, with power needs doubling every three months for large AI models; clean energy solutions discussed include renewables, long-duration storage, small modular reactors, and nuclear power (e.g., Constellation Energy’s restart of Three Mile Island reactor).
- AI applications can optimize power grids and accelerate materials discovery, with examples like Google’s fuel-efficient routing reducing 2.9 million metric tons of GHG emissions; MIT launched a program to tackle AI energy challenges from power sources to algorithms.
This symposium underscores the dual challenge and opportunity of AI’s energy demands, emphasizing integrated research and technology development to balance growth with sustainability goals.
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Duke Energy and GE Vernova announce significant arrangement for gas turbines and associated equipment
Duke Energy forms a significant partnership with GE Vernova for natural gas turbines.
- Agreement to procure up to 11 American-produced GE Vernova 7HA gas turbines aligned with Duke Energy’s integrated resource plans.
- Partnership addresses growing energy demands driven by advanced manufacturing, data centers, and population growth.
- GE Vernova’s Greenville, S.C. facility expansion supports historic demand with nearly $600 million investment, including $300 million in Gas Power business.
- Investments include manufacturing process modernization, supplier capacity increase, and creation of over 1,500 U.S. jobs.
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New gas turbine assets to leverage Duke Energy’s existing infrastructure, lowering costs and speeding market delivery.
This partnership solidifies supply and capacity for Duke Energy to support future energy growth and modernization needs.
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Duke Energy and GE Vernova announce significant arrangement for gas turbines and associated equipment
Duke Energy and GE Vernova announce a significant partnership for natural gas turbines and associated equipment.
- Partnership includes a plan to procure up to 11 American-produced GE Vernova 7HA gas turbines aligned with Duke Energy’s integrated resource plans.
- Builds on eight previously secured 7HA turbines, aimed at meeting growing energy demand from manufacturing, data centers, and population growth.
- GE Vernova’s Greenville, SC facility expanded with nearly $600 million U.S. manufacturing investment, including $300 million in Gas Power business, creating more than 1,500 jobs.
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The arrangement utilizes Duke Energy’s existing infrastructure to reduce costs and accelerate deployment.
The agreement highlights tangible progress in Duke Energy’s strategy for reliable energy and economic growth support.
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Alberta prioritizing U.S. data center needs, former deputy minister says
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Workshop explores new advanced materials for a growing world
MIT hosted a workshop focusing on resource-efficient materials and technologies. The event included discussions on recycling steel without melting, sustainable concrete innovations, and integrating photonics in microchips. Key figures included Javier Sanfelix from the EU, and MIT professors like Lionel Kimerling and C. Cem Tasan. The workshop emphasized collaboration for developing shared digital infrastructure and innovative manufacturing processes to support green and digital transitions.
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ARCLIGHT TO ACQUIRE KLEEN POWER INTERESTS
ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC announced that its managed fund entered into definitive purchase agreements with Osaka Gas USA Corporation and Kyuden International Americas Inc. to acquire their indirect common equity ownership interests in Kleen Energy Systems, LLC. Kleen Power is a 620 MW natural gas-fired generation asset in New England, positioned to benefit from AI-driven data center development and electrification. The transaction is expected to close in 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
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Addressing Data Center Growth Constraints Key to U.S. Innovation, Leadership in AI
The article discusses the growing demand for data centers driven by AI, highlighting that U.S. data centers will account for 6.6% of electricity consumption by 2028. Key limitations for growth include chip supply, tariffs, and electricity reliability. The U.S. CHIPS and Science Act aims to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing which won’t operationalize until 2028-2029. Hyperscalers are exploring power models to manage the increasing energy needs, with a shift towards renewable sources for cooling and power supply.
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Homer City Redevelopment and Kiewit announce country’s largest natural gas-powered data center campus to support AI and HPC demand
Homer City Redevelopment (HCR) and Kiewit Power Constructors Co. announced the transformation of the former Homer City Generating Station into a natural gas-powered data center campus spanning over 3,200 acres. This facility, projected to generate up to 4.5 GW of energy via seven GE Vernova turbines, represents the largest capital investment in Pennsylvania’s history. The first turbine deliveries are anticipated to commence in 2026, aiming to support the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC).
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Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Public Utility Commission Sets Hearing on AI Data Centers’ Impacts on Electricity
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) announced a hearing on April 24, 2025, to evaluate the impact of AI data centers on the state’s electricity infrastructure and economy. PUC Chairperson Stephen DeFrank emphasized the need to protect consumers while facilitating economic growth and technological advancement. The commission will investigate two major data center projects: Constellation Energy’s $1.6 billion restart of its nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island to provide carbon-free electricity for Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services’ $650 million data center purchase near a nuclear plant that will consume energy equivalent to 900,000 homes.
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Schneider Electric, NVIDIA, ETAP collaboration set to advance data center efficiency, operations