AI megaprojects are no longer conceptual. They are physical infrastructure — steel in the ground, turbines spinning, substations expanding.
And the real story isn’t GPUs. It’s gigawatts and billions in investments.
Across the U.S., we’re watching three distinct power models emerge for GW-scale AI campuses.
1️⃣ Behind-the-Meter Generation
Private generation wrapped around a single AI campus.
2️⃣ Utility-Dedicated Generation
New plants justified primarily by hyperscale load.
3️⃣ Grid-Supplied at Unprecedented Scale
Traditional interconnection — but at 1–3+ GW blocks, forcing rapid transmission upgrades and renewables build-out.
What This Means for Utilities & ISO/RTO Planners
AI roadmaps directly influencing utility capital plans.
Billions in transmission, generation, substation and renewable investments
This is not incremental load growth.
It is a structural shift in how large, synchronized, high-load-factor demand enters the grid.
Headline AI campuses
Stargate – Abilene, TX
Owner/Operator: OpenAI / Oracle / Crusoe
Utility / Power Source: Behind-the-meter gas plant + ERCOT grid
MW Now: ~200 MW
MW at Build-Out: ~1,200 MW
Projected Investment: ~$2.5–3.5B+ (on-site gas generation, grid interconnection, transmission upgrades)
Power Model: Own – Private gas turbines + supplemental ERCOT supply
Fairwater – Mount Pleasant, WI
Owner/Operator: Microsoft
Utility / Power Source: We Energies (WEC Energy Group) / Wisconsin grid
MW Now: ~500–800 MW (est.)
MW at Build-Out: ~3,300 MW
Projected Investment: ~$5–7B+ (bulk transmission expansion, new substations, renewable integration)
Power Model: Utility – Direct grid interconnection at transmission level
Franklin Farms – Richland Parish, LA
Owner/Operator: Meta
Utility / Power Source: Entergy Louisiana (dedicated gas plants)
MW Now: ~400–600 MW (est.)
MW at Build-Out: >2,000 MW
Projected Investment: ~$3–5B+ (new utility-owned gas plants, renewables PPAs, grid reinforcements)
Power Model: Utility-Dedicated – New gas generation largely built for campus
Columbus / New Albany AI Cluster, OH
Owner/Operator: Google
Utility / Power Source: AEP Ohio / PJM grid
MW Now: ~500–1,000 MW (est.)
MW at Build-Out: 2,000–3,000 MW (est.)
Projected Investment: ~$4–6B+ (transmission upgrades, renewable contracts, bulk system expansion)
Power Model: Utility – Transmission-level interconnection into PJM
Johnstown AI Campus, OH
Owner/Operator: Cologix
Utility / Power Source: AEP Ohio / PJM grid
MW Now: Early phases (~100–200 MW est.)
MW at Build-Out: ~800 MW
Projected Investment: ~$1.5–2.0B+ (campus buildout, interconnection facilities, grid upgrades)
Power Model: Utility – Grid supply via PJM
AI is scaling. The grid must scale smarter
