Microsoft Invests Heavily in Wisconsin to Build the World’s Most Powerful AI Data Centre
As part of its ambitious plan to drive innovation and sustainability, Microsoft is spearheading the development of Fairwater, a cutting-edge facility envisioned to become the world’s most powerful AI data centre. Scheduled for completion in early 2026, this massive project is part of a US$3.3bn investment by the tech giant, with an additional US$4bn committed for a second data centre, marking a substantial US$7bn investment in Wisconsin.
Designed for AI Excellence
The Mount Pleasant facility is laser-focused on training frontier AI models, housing hundreds of thousands of Nvidia GPUs clustered in formations. These GPUs facilitate rapid AI model training through parallel processing, 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 center as a nucleus for breakthroughs in medicine and science, with AI workloads trained in Wisconsin playing a key role.
Moreover, 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. This initiative is part of Microsoft’s commitment to community development, which extends to broadband enhancements, improving accessibility for over 9,300 rural residents and connecting 1,200 homes and businesses in Sturtevant.
AI-Powered Sustainability
Commitment to sustainability is a primary focus for the project. A closed-loop liquid cooling system represents over 90% of the facility’s design, drastically reducing 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. Significant efforts are also 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: "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." She continues: "Nearly 90% of our data centre capacity uses this system, requiring water only once during construction and continually reusing it with no evaporation losses. This breakthrough enables higher rack density and supports the most demanding AI workloads, while dramatically reducing environmental impact."
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.
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. Innovations extend to broadband, enhancing accessibility for over 9,300 rural residents and connecting 1,200 homes and businesses in Sturtevant.
Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, emphasizes the significance of this project: "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."
Conclusion
Microsoft’s investment in Fairwater is a testament to its commitment to driving innovation and sustainability. By building the world’s most powerful AI data centre, Microsoft is creating a platform for breakthroughs in medicine and science, while also investing in the local community through job creation, education, and broadband enhancements. As Brad Smith notes, this project is not just about building an AI data centre – it’s about building the future together with care for people, place, and planet.
The success of Fairwater will not only benefit Microsoft but also serve as a model for innovation and sustainability in the tech industry. With its commitment to community development, environmental impact reduction, and cutting-edge technology, Microsoft is paving the way for a more innovative and sustainable future for generations to come.
Microsoft’s investment in Wisconsin is expected to have far-reaching benefits for the local community, state, and nation as a whole. The company’s focus on sustainability, innovation, and community development sets a new standard for responsible business practices. As Fairwater comes online in early 2026, it will serve as a beacon of hope for a more sustainable and innovative future.
The project’s emphasis on education and training through the Datacenter Academy is particularly noteworthy. By equipping students with the skills needed to work in data centres, Microsoft is investing in the next generation of innovators and technologists. This initiative has the potential to create a lasting impact on the local community, driving economic growth and development.
The broadband enhancements brought about by this project will also have a significant impact on rural communities, improving accessibility and connectivity for thousands of residents. By bridging the digital divide, Microsoft is ensuring that everyone has access to the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.
Microsoft’s commitment to sustainability is another key aspect of the Fairwater project. The closed-loop liquid cooling system represents a significant breakthrough in energy efficiency, reducing water usage and minimising environmental impact. This innovative approach sets a new standard for data centre design and operation.
The company’s pledge to offset every kilowatt hour of fossil fuel energy with equivalent carbon-free energy is also noteworthy. By investing in renewable energy sources, Microsoft is reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
In conclusion, the Fairwater project represents a major milestone for Microsoft and a testament to its commitment to innovation and sustainability. With its focus on community development, environmental impact reduction, and cutting-edge technology, this project has the potential to drive significant benefits for the local community, state, and nation as a whole. As Fairwater comes online in early 2026, it will serve as a beacon of hope for a more sustainable and innovative future.
The success of Fairwater will not only benefit Microsoft but also set a new standard for responsible business practices in the tech industry. By prioritising sustainability, innovation, and community development, Microsoft is paving the way for a more innovative and sustainable future for generations to come.