Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Google plans $17 billion investment in Wyoming data center
Google plans a $17 billion investment in a data center and related projects in Wyoming.
The new facility will be built in Laramie County, with Google working alongside four energy-related companies.
As US demand for AI computing grows, more data centers are being built, raising concerns about electricity costs and effects on water supplies.
Google says it will pay all electricity and infrastructure costs linked to the facility, and plans a 702-megawatt power installation using natural gas fuel cells with carbon capture and storage.
It also plans to use air cooling to reduce water use and says the project could bring hundreds of millions of dollars in local property tax revenue.
Google and its partners will form a council to address local impacts and support schools, job training and local businesses.
Google announced plans to build a data center in Laramie County, Wyoming, and invest $17 billion over the long term in the facility and related development.
The company said it would pay the full cost of the center’s electricity and the infrastructure needed for its construction.
A planned 702-megawatt power facility will use Bloom Energy fuel cells, natural gas and carbon capture and storage.
Google said the center will use air cooling to reduce water consumption and that it will support local schools, job training and businesses.
The plans come amid growing concern in the United States about data centers’ effects on electricity costs, water resources and local communities.
- Who
- Google, working with four energy-related companies and other partners.
- What
- Google plans to build a data center and invest $17 billion over the long term in the facility and related development.
- When
- Google announced the plan on November 5, local time.
- Where
- Laramie County, Wyoming, United States.
- Why
- To expand data center capacity amid demand for AI infrastructure. Google also said it would address community concerns about electricity costs, infrastructure and environmental effects.
Local residents concerned about data center impacts
Electricity costs
Local residents concerned about data center impacts
Residents have raised concerns about rising electricity costs linked to data centers.
Google says it will pay 100% of the facility’s electricity costs.
Water and environmental effects
Local residents concerned about data center impacts
Residents have raised concerns about data centers’ effects on water resources.
Google plans to use air cooling to reduce water consumption and says it will reduce environmental impacts.
Community impacts
Local residents concerned about data center impacts
Residents have expressed opposition amid concerns about data center growth and insufficient public explanation.
Google says it will support schools, job training and local businesses, and establish a council to consider local impacts.
Google joined an industry group focused on adjusting data center electricity use in response to power supply and demand.
Candidates who supported restrictions on data center construction won in the US midterm elections.
Google announced plans to build a data center in Wyoming and invest $17 billion over the long term.
- Planned investment
- $17 billion
- Site
- Laramie County, Wyoming
- Planned power facility
- 702 megawatts
- Electricity costs
- Google says it will pay 100%
- Public meeting attendance
- More than 200 residents