Getting your news
Attempting to reconnect
Finding the latest in Climate
Hang in there while we load your news feed
Minnesota Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across Minnesota — updated daily.
Recent Minnesota data center news
-
🌎 DeepSeek hype vs. the hyperscalers #232
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek launched its R1 model, claiming it was far cheaper and more energy-efficient to train than US competitors. Costing just $6m to develop — compared to OpenAI’s reported $100m+, DeepSeek performed similarly to leading competitors while using only ~2,000 Nvidia H800 GPUs. This breakthrough raises more questions about future power demand from AI workloads, especially as data centers were projected to consume 650-1,050 TWh by 2026. The energy efficiency claims are being closely scrutinized as inference loads may offset training savings.
-
Press Release Archives - Closed Loop Partners
US-based Capricorn Investment Group made a strategic investment in Closed Loop Partners to enhance capital deployment in circular supply chains and waste reduction solutions. This investment strengthens Closed Loop Capital Management’s position in accelerating the transition to a circular economy.
-
National Grid Renewables Announces Start of Operations at Two Solar Projects in Southern Minnesota
US-based National Grid Renewables has announced the start of operations at its Fillmore County Solar (45 MW) and Louise Solar (50 MW) projects, which are located in Southern Minnesota. Together, these projects will deliver a combined 95 megawatts of clean, homegrown solar power. Xcel Energy has executed power purchase agreements for both projects, contributing to Xcel’s commitment to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. The projects are anticipated to avoid more than 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over their first 20 years of operation.
-
Multibillion-dollar data center projects to watch
-
New Clayco CEO expects data center boom to thrive
US-based Clayco launched Clayco Compute, a business unit focused on high-tech construction projects, including data centers and quantum computing facilities. The company anticipates over $4.6 billion in revenue from data center construction by 2026. A joint venture among OpenAI, Softbank, and Oracle announced a $500 billion initiative to accelerate AI infrastructure development, including up to 20 data centers by 2028. Clayco addresses energy challenges in these projects through renewables and microgrid solutions.
-
Meta taps Turner, DPR, Mortenson for $10B data center
US-based Meta has announced a $10 billion data center investment in Louisiana’s Monroe area, with a commitment to power it with 100% renewable energy. The 4-million-square-foot facility will be Meta’s largest AI-focused data center, requiring 1,500 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity. The project includes a $200 million investment in local infrastructure upgrades.
-
Xcel Energy draws 6.7 GW of data center requests, including from Meta and Microsoft
Xcel Energy has received 6.7 GW in data center requests from Meta and Microsoft in Minnesota and QTS Realty Trust in Colorado. Xcel faces increased demand partly from tech companies and also from electric vehicles and industry electrification. The company plans to issue RFPs and enhance resource planning while managing wildfire mitigation efforts in various states.
-
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.
-
Microsoft plows $3.3B into data center at former Foxconn site
Microsoft is investing $3.3 billion in a data center project at a former Foxconn site in Mount Pleasant, expected to create 2,300 construction jobs by 2025. To address power constraints, Microsoft will collaborate with National Grid Renewables on a 250-megawatt solar project in Wisconsin. The data center will utilize a closed-loop cooling system to conserve water. Builders are optimistic about the growth potential in the data center industry.