The Department of Energy selects Brookfield Asset Management to develop a $100 billion AI data center in Kentucky.
The U.S. Department of Energy has selected investment firm Brookfield Asset Management to develop a $100 billion data center complex at the government-owned Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Kentucky. The project will include a new natural gas and battery storage power plant, aiming to transform the former Cold War-era uranium enrichment site into a hub for artificial intelligence. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the project is part of the administration's efforts to ensure the United States maintains a competitive edge in the artificial intelligence race against China. The data center campus will feature 1.8 gigawatts of capacity, supported by 2 gigawatts of natural gas-fired generation and 2.6 gigawatts of battery storage. Construction is expected to be complete by 2031. While the project promises thousands of jobs and significant investment in rural Kentucky, some environmental advocates have raised concerns regarding the impact on the local water table and the emissions from the new gas-fired power plant.