Is a massive AI data center coming to Roseville? City officials answer online rumors
Roseville city officials have refuted online rumors regarding the imminent construction of a hyperscale AI data center within the city. They clarified that the proposed Phillip Road project is an innovation center, currently in early review stages, and that the local grid lacks the capacity for such a large data facility. The city also noted that the project, if it were to include a data center, would be restricted to using recycled water.
Roseville, California city officials recently addressed widespread social media rumors asserting that a massive hyperscale AI data center was slated for construction in the city's west tier. A Reddit user had specifically cited a draft environmental impact report, claiming it detailed plans for a hyperscale data center at the intersection of Blue Oaks and Westbrook Boulevards.
Helen Dyda, a spokesperson for the city of Roseville, clarified that the project documents in question do not describe a data center but rather an "innovation center." She emphasized that the Phillip Road project is in its nascent stages of environmental analysis and would require numerous city approvals before any development could commence. According to the city's official webpage, the proposed development encompasses a blend of residential, commercial, and technology-related industrial uses, with a focus on innovation.
Officials further explained that Roseville's local electric grid, which the city operates independently, is not equipped to support the substantial power demands of a hyperscale data center, which can require 200 to 300 megawatts. The city's peak demand is around 370 megawatts. Panattoni Development, the project's developer, echoed this sentiment, confirming no final tenant has been selected and that the site's existing infrastructure is unsuitable for a hyperscale facility. The developer's plans detail 100 acres of residential, over 1 million square feet of innovation/manufacturing space, and a new 49-megawatt substation, of which a proposed data center could utilize up to 30 megawatts. The project is anticipated to require review by the Planning Commission and City Council, with construction not expected for three to five years post-approval.