Charlotte data center expansion involves millions for power source by the airport

Digital Realty is significantly expanding its data center footprint in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a major new facility planned near Charlotte Douglas International Airport. This 156-acre site will eventually host two buildings totaling 3-million-square-feet, capable of supporting up to 400 megawatts of IT capacity, positioning it as one of the state's largest data centers.

To power this substantial development, the Austin, Texas-based developer is funding the construction of a multimillion-dollar substation, estimated to cost upwards of $53.5 million, near the airport. Duke Energy will own, construct, and operate the substation, with assurances from both companies that nearby residents will not incur additional costs or service disruptions.

The expansion also includes a 12-megawatt data center within the existing Court Arcade building in uptown Charlotte, for which demolition permits were requested last July. These projects, including the airport facility that received rezoning approval last year, are moving forward even as Charlotte is under a 150-day moratorium on new data center development and rezoning, as Digital Realty's plans predated the moratorium.

Duke Energy noted in a recent earnings report that data centers are increasing electricity demand but emphasized its commitment to protecting existing customers from new load-related costs. The utility has secured energy services agreements for an additional 1.5 gigawatts of new data centers since November, providing a total of 4.5 gigawatts to various centers, including those for Microsoft and Compass.