Microsoft’s Ambitious Plan to Build the World’s Most Powerful AI Data Centre in Wisconsin
Microsoft is making a significant investment in Wisconsin, committing over $7 billion to build two massive AI data centres. The first facility, Fairwater, is set to become the world’s most powerful AI data centre and is scheduled for completion in early 2026. This cutting-edge project will train frontier AI models using hundreds of thousands of Nvidia GPUs clustered in formations, facilitating rapid AI model training through parallel processing.
The Vision Behind Fairwater
Designed for AI excellence, Fairwater will house a high-density cluster of AI infrastructure servers, boasting fibre optic connectivity capable of encircling the globe four times. This will deliver tenfold the performance of current leading supercomputers, making it an ideal platform for researchers and engineers to train next-gen models and experiment with innovative ideas efficiently. Microsoft’s strategic vision positions the data centre as a nucleus for breakthroughs in medicine and science, with AI workloads trained in Wisconsin playing a key role.
Job Creation and Community Benefits
The local community stands to benefit through job creation, long-term IT careers, and training linked to the facility. A collaboration with Gateway Technical College has led to the establishment of Wisconsin’s first ‘Datacenter Academy’, aimed at equipping students for data centre roles. Microsoft is also investing in broadband infrastructure, enhancing accessibility for over 9,300 rural residents and connecting 1,200 homes and businesses in Sturtevant.
Commitment to Sustainability
A closed-loop liquid cooling system, representing over 90% of the facility’s design, will drastically reduce water usage. Microsoft ensures that the facility uses external air cooling, resorting to water only during peak heat periods, with consumption comparable to a single restaurant annually or an 18-hole golf course weekly during summer. The company pledges to offset every kilowatt hour of fossil fuel energy with equivalent carbon-free energy, supplemented by a 250MW solar project in Portage County.
Ecological Restoration and Community Impact
Significant efforts are underway in ecological restoration across Racine and Kenosha counties, reinforcing Microsoft’s commitment to environmental impact. Noelle Walsh, President for Cloud Operations and Innovation at Microsoft, highlights the company’s relentless pursuit of innovation and sustainability: "What sets Microsoft’s infrastructure apart is the relentless pursuit of innovation and sustainability… Our data centres use advanced closed-loop liquid cooling systems – integrated pipes circulate cold liquid directly into servers, extracting heat efficiently and ensuring zero water waste."
Infrastructure and Community Commitment
During peak construction, more than 3,000 workers from various trades will be employed, including electricians, plumbers, and concrete specialists. Once operational, the first data centre will employ about 500 full-time staff, expanding to 800 with the second site’s completion. Microsoft’s educational investments through the Datacenter Academy are planned to train over 1,000 students in five years.
Innovative Approach to Energy Consumption
Microsoft is ensuring energy demands do not inflate local prices by pre-paying for energy and infrastructure consumption. This approach maintains price stability for residents. With partners like the University of Wisconsin and others, Microsoft has trained 114,000 individuals in AI skills statewide, including 1,400 from Racine County.
Investment in a Brighter Future
Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, emphasizes the significance of this investment: "As someone who spent almost five years as a kid going to school and delivering the morning newspaper by bicycle in Mount Pleasant, this moment means more than just personal nostalgia… It shows that Wisconsin has not just a longstanding and proud industrial past – it’s helping define the future of American innovation."
A Powerful Idea
Microsoft is investing in a powerful idea: that innovation is for everyone, and that we can build the future together – with care for people, place, and planet. This ambitious project will not only create jobs and stimulate local economies but also drive breakthroughs in medicine, science, and technology.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s investment in Wisconsin represents a significant step towards building the world’s most powerful AI data centre. With its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community development, Fairwater is poised to become a model for future data centres worldwide. As Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI, this project serves as a testament to the company’s vision for a brighter, more sustainable future.