The U.S. Department of Energy is considering Paducah, Kentucky, as the site for a massive new data center campus, part of a partnership with several area utility companies, including NextEra Energy. The more than $100 billion project would include a data center, battery storage, and natural gas infrastructure.
Project Details
According to the federal government, this would be one of the largest investments in Kentucky’s history, creating 8,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent ones. The site’s power and storage capacity would exceed its own needs, sending surplus energy back to the regional grid, potentially lowering electricity bills for local families and businesses.
The project would reuse federal land, a former uranium enrichment site, while environmental cleanup continues. The Trump administration has pursued similar initiatives as part of its pro-AI strategy, aiming to leverage federal assets to add power generation, create jobs, and ensure the United States leads in the AI race, according to Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
However, the power agreement still requires approval from the Kentucky Public Service Commission. If approved, construction is expected to be completed by 2031. Data centers have been controversial in communities across the country, with several Kentucky areas already halting proposed centers, and Louisville considering stronger regulations.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
