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Paducah lands $100B AI data center project, one of Kentucky’s largest investments
The U.S. Department of Energy unveiled plans for a $100 billion private investment to develop one of the nation's largest AI data center campuses at a former uranium enrichment site in Paducah, Kentucky. This project will create thousands of jobs and include dedicated energy infrastructure capable of supplying 4.6 gigawatts of electricity. Brookfield Corp. will develop and operate the campus, with NextEra Energy Inc. building the power infrastructure.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a historic private investment exceeding $100 billion to transform a former uranium enrichment site in Paducah, Kentucky, into one of the nation's largest artificial intelligence data center campuses. This project is hailed as one of Kentucky's biggest economic development initiatives, promising approximately 8,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent positions.
Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr praised the investment, highlighting its potential to create jobs, bolster energy security, and drive economic growth for Paducah and the Commonwealth. The plan includes pairing the sprawling data center campus with new energy infrastructure, featuring a natural gas-fired power plant and battery storage capable of generating 4.6 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, with the data campus projected to draw 1.8 GW.
Canadian alternative investment firm Brookfield Corp. was selected to develop and operate the Paducah data center campus. NextEra Energy Inc. will be responsible for building and owning the dedicated energy infrastructure. Key local utility partners include Big Rivers Electric Power Corp., which will provide wholesale electric service, and Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative, handling retail service. Paducah Power System is also a community partner, pending state regulatory approval for the power service agreement. Construction is anticipated to conclude by 2031.