Duke University Plans a Data Center It Says Will Boost ‘Environmental Responsibility and Sustainability’
Duke University is proceeding with plans to build a 1.5-megawatt data center on its Central Campus, despite concerns from some faculty and local advocates about its potential energy and water consumption. The university states the facility is designed with sustainability in mind, but critics argue it could hinder Duke's climate goals and impact local resources, especially given a local drought.
Duke University is proceeding with the construction of a 1.5-megawatt data center at its Central Campus in Durham, North Carolina, with potential for expansion to 3 megawatts. The project, located on 12 acres along Yearby Avenue, received its building permit in April and began site preparation this week, with completion anticipated next year. A university spokesperson stated the facility is designed with a focus on environmental responsibility and sustainability to support researchers.
Despite Duke's assurances, the energy and water-intensive nature of the project has raised concerns among some faculty and local environmental justice advocates. Critics worry the data center's operations, projected to increase the university's peak energy consumption by 2 to 3 percent, could hinder Duke's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The university's climate commitment report noted achieving carbon neutrality in 2024 and 2025 primarily through carbon offsets, a practice that will cease this year.
The data center is exempt from a recently adopted 60-day data center moratorium by the Durham City Council, and a proposed two-year moratorium on hyperscale data centers by both the City Council and Durham County Board of Commissioners. This exemption is due to the project having a valid building permit prior to the moratorium's enactment, and because it is classified as a facility secondary to a main use, serving only on-site needs.
Environmental concerns are further heightened by Durham County's extreme drought conditions, with city data indicating limited water supplies. Leslie St Dre, founder of Community Land and Power, advocated for capping total data center megawatts in the city and county, citing climate impact. University officials are exploring renewable energy options and a system to reuse hot water from cooling for campus heating, though the city's Department of Water Management has not yet received usage estimates.