North Carolina Data Center Intel

Recent North Carolina data center news

• Nov 5, 2025

  Developer Forges Ahead With $38B in North Carolina Data Center Builds

  Energy Storage Solutions announced a plan to build a massive 900 MW, 300-acre data center and energy storage campus (Kingsboro) in Tarboro, N.C., after Edgecombe County amended zoning to permit data center construction.

  • Project details: Energy Storage Solutions expects to break ground on the $19.2 billion Kingsboro project in Q1 2026; the buildout will be in 24 phases over 3–5 years, include about a dozen 40,000-square-foot structures per campus, support >1,000 employees per campus, and a twin project is planned for Fayetteville, N.C. The company says the Kingsboro project will add $75 million in annual tax revenue for Edgecombe County.
  • Background and implementation details: The company will use natural gas for on-site power generation, may pay $176 million in local energy infrastructure upgrades, and plans to sell surplus power back to utilities at a discount. Edgecombe County earlier voted down a separate $6.4 million, 100 MW project; commissioners on Monday unanimously amended the Unified Development Ordinance to allow data center construction in specified industrial zoning districts. Shaffer declined to disclose investor or vendor names.
• Nov 5, 2025

  BridgePeak Energy Capital Facilitates $144 Million Construction Loan to Finance 112.5MWdc Headwater Energy Solar Project

  Headwater Energy announced it closed construction financing for the 112.5MWdc Gum Swamp solar project in North Carolina, arranged by BridgePeak Energy Capital and funded in part by Pathward.

  • Financing and project details: The transaction closed for the 112.5MWdc Gum Swamp solar project, projected to power ~17,000 North Carolina households annually; the loan was originated under Pathward’s energy lending program with a lender syndicate and BridgePeak serving as lender service provider. The project is scheduled to be placed in service in 18 months. Headwater currently reports 177MWdc operational assets and a 2.8GWdc development pipeline.
  • Partnership and financial context: BridgePeak stated the deal is part of its initiative to facilitate over $2 billion in energy project financing in 2025; as of September 30, 2025 BridgePeak services a $3.7 billion commercial loan portfolio and since founding (2020) has closed over $5.4 billion in loans to U.S. energy projects. Contact for media/finance inquiries: info@BridgePeak.com (Mac Cooney, Director).
• Nov 4, 2025

  Essential Utilities Reports Third Quarter 2025 Results

  Essential Utilities announced its third-quarter 2025 financial results and significant strategic actions, including an agreement to invest in a Greene County, Pennsylvania data center project and a definitive all‑stock merger agreement with American Water Works Company, Inc.

  • Quarter results & merger: Reported Q3 2025 net income of $92.1 million and revenues of $477.0 million; board declared a $0.3426 per share quarterly dividend payable Dec 1, 2025; announced a definitive all‑stock, tax‑free merger with American Water Works Company, Inc. creating a pro forma market capitalization of approximately $40 billion and combined enterprise value of approximately $63 billion, with the transaction expected to close by end of Q1 2027, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals (including Hart‑Scott‑Rodino clearance).
  • Capital programs & project details: Plans ~$7.8 billion of regulated infrastructure investment from 2025–2029 (including >300 PFAS projects); expects 2025 regulated infrastructure investments of $1.4–$1.5 billion; Aqua will design, build, and operate an 18 MGD water treatment plant for a 1,400‑acre Greene County data center/power project (operational target mid‑2029); company reaffirmed a 60% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2035 (2019 baseline) and expects to raise ~$350 million equity in 2025 (including $25 million to finance the data center investment).
• Nov 4, 2025

  Essential Utilities Reports Third Quarter 2025 Results

  Essential Utilities announced Q3 2025 financial results and multi-year infrastructure and strategic actions.

  • Main announcement: Essential reported Q3 2025 net income of $92.1 million ($0.33 per share) and quarter revenues of $477.0 million, while reaffirming a capital investment plan of approximately $7.8 billion from 2025–2029 (including $1.4–$1.5 billion expected in 2025). The company also announced an all-stock merger agreement with American Water Works Company, Inc. (announced Oct 27, 2025) to create a combined public utility with an approximate pro forma market capitalization of $40 billion and combined enterprise value of $63 billion, with the transaction expected to close by the end of Q1 2027 subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

  • Other key details and partnerships: Essential signed an agreement with International Electric Power III, LLC (IEP) to invest in a 1,400-acre data center project in Greene County, Pennsylvania, where Aqua will design, build, and operate an 18 million gallons per day (MGD) water treatment plant (expected operational mid-2029); the company expects to finance approximately $25 million of the data center investment via its ATM program in 2025. Rate awards/surcharges totaling $101.5 million were received across water and gas segments (water: $92.6 million; gas: $8.9 million). Webcast remarks: Date: November 5, 2025; Time: 9 a.m. ET; Access: Essential.co Investors page; archived for one year.

• Nov 3, 2025

  Energy Affordability: Price Trends and Factors

  Vincent Potter of the NC Clean Energy Technology Center outlines factors driving U.S. electricity price increases and notes that many utilities have active rate cases as of October 2025.

  • Main announcement/action: The article explains that data center expansion, infrastructure upgrade and replacement costs, and fuel cost volatility are creating upward pressure on retail electricity prices; as of October 2025, at least 50 electric utilities in 29 states and Puerto (Puerto Rico) have rate cases pending before regulators. The piece cites EIA data showing residential prices rose from 16.61¢/kWh in July 2024 to 17.47¢/kWh in July 2025, and an overall 2020–2025 increase of 3.88¢/kWh nationally (with California ≈ +12.5¢/kWh).
  • Background and details: The author highlights data center maps and the DELTa database (NC Clean Energy Technology Center partnered with Smart Electric Power Alliance to compile/release the Database of Emerging Large-load Tariffs) as tools to track large-load tariff developments; it also documents supply-chain delays (Reuters reported ~five-year lead times for new gas turbines) and rising equipment lead times and costs, plus that natural gas supplied over 40% of U.S. electricity in 2024, with wholesale gas prices ranging ~$2.10–$6.60 per Mcf, a 2025 EIA projection of $3.50 per Mcf, and delivered industrial gas ≈ $3.30–$7.70 per Mcf.
• Oct 28, 2025

  Data Centers Are Turning to Gas Generators for Prime Power to Eliminate Long Lead Times for Grid Connections

  Data center developers and equipment suppliers are increasingly using natural gas generator sets and packaged generator solutions as near-term prime power to meet rapid AI-driven compute demand.

  • Main announcement/action: Data center developers (notably Joule Capital Partners with Caterpillar and CAT dealer Wheeler Machinery) are deploying natural gas gensets as prime power at large campuses (Millard County, Utah up to 4 GW planned) with fleets of Caterpillar G3520K (2.5 MW each) and >1 GWh battery storage; the Wonder Valley, Alberta project will use onsite natural gas to power an 8-GW data center with the first 1.5 GW scheduled for completion by 2027. Lead times for utility power can be three to seven years, prompting BYOP (bring your own power) and rapid delivery advantages for gas packages.
  • Background and supporting details:Global Market Insights (GMI) valued the global gas generator market at $6.9 billion in 2024, projecting 8.8% CAGR to $16 billion by 2034, with >330 kVA and >750 kVA segments growing fastest; Fidelity Manufacturing expanded staffing from 40 to >500 and opened a second 86,000 sq ft factory (additional 25,000 sq ft production and warehouse planned) to meet data-center-driven demand. Typical large gas engines available up to ~2.5 MW; custom packaged features, ASCE/SEI and local codes, and OSHA/IBC-compliant access (aluminum framing, anti-slip surfaces) are emphasized. Lead times for larger packaged deliveries can be up to one year or more.
• Oct 10, 2025

  Heimdall Power’s Neuron Named One of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025

  Heimdall Power announced its Neuron was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025.

  • Announcement: Heimdall Power’s Neuron was named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025; the company highlighted the device as a “smartwatch for the power grid” that provides real-time measurements (line temperature, sag, current, micro-climate) enabling utilities to dynamically adjust power flows, unlock hidden capacity, reduce congestion costs, and improve reliability. Mentioned spokesperson: Jørgen Festervoll, CEO; press release distributed from Charlotte, N.C. via Business Wire.
  • Background & product details: Founded in 2016, Heimdall Power is a Norwegian technology company combining patented sensors, advanced analytics, and AI-driven software; the Neuron features drone-based installation capabilities and plug-and-play software with applications such as dynamic line rating (DLR), ambient line rating (AAR), and asset health monitoring. The company states it is trusted by more than 50 utilities across 20 countries.
• Oct 10, 2025

  Heimdall Power’s Neuron Named One of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025

  Heimdall Power announced that its Neuron sensor was named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025.

  • Main announcement: Heimdall Power’s flagship sensor, the Neuron™, was recognized on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025 list; the release quotes CEO Jørgen Festervoll and describes the Neuron as a real-time power line sensor that measures line temperature, sag, current, and micro-climate conditions to enable dynamic line rating (DLR), ambient line rating (AAR), and asset health monitoring.
  • Background and details: Founded in 2016 and based in Norway, Heimdall Power states it is trusted by more than 50 utilities across 20 countries, combines patented sensors, advanced analytics, and AI-driven software, and uses proprietary drone-based installation capabilities; no monetary values or timelines were provided in the announcement.
• Oct 1, 2025

  Amazon Signs Deal for Solar Energy to Power Data Centers in U.S.

  Amazon announced it has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Avangrid to purchase electricity from the Oregon Trail Solar project in Oregon.

  • Project details: Oregon Trail Solar — 57 MWdc (41 MWac) capacity, expected operations in 2027, will supply Amazon’s data centers in the Pacific Northwest; construction is projected to create ~200 construction jobs (mostly local union workers), will install >100,000 solar panels, and is expected to generate roughly the annual electricity consumption of ~10,000 U.S. households.
  • Background and other details:Avangrid has operated in Oregon since 2001 and runs 2.5 GW of capacity in-state, including a National Training Center in Sherman County and a corporate office in Portland; the project will contribute approximately US$6 million in combined payments in lieu of taxes and property taxes over its lifetime to benefit schools and infrastructure; this is a follow-up collaboration after Avangrid and Amazon’s agreement for the Leaning Juniper IIA repower and follows similar partnerships in Illinois, Ohio, and North Carolina.
• Sep 27, 2025

  Private equity sees profits in power utilities as electric bills rise and big tech seeks more energy

  BlackRock subsidiary and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board have proposed buying Allete, parent of Minnesota Power; the deal faces regulatory review by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission with a potential Oct. 3 vote.

  • Main announcement: A BlackRock subsidiary and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board have proposed a buyout of Allete (parent of Minnesota Power) for $6.2 billion (including $67 a share, a 19% premium). The deal impacts a utility serving ~150,000 customers, could influence whether Google builds a data center in the region, and is scheduled for a possible Oct. 3 vote by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Allete projects it will need $4.3 billion for transmission and clean energy projects over five years and says the buyout will not affect electric rates.
  • Background and other details: Private equity and infrastructure investors (including Blackstone) are pursuing multiple utility transactions (eg: bids for Public Service Company of New Mexico and Texas New Mexico Power Co; earlier sales in Wisconsin and a 19.9% stake sale in Northern Indiana). An administrative law judge (Megan J. McKenzie) recommended rejecting the Allete deal, and commission staff warned private investors could leverage the utility with debt to capture higher regulated returns. Opponents (eg: Energy and Policy Institute, state attorney general) cite risks of higher rates; supporters include building trades unions and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s administration.