Brookfield, NextEra plan $100 billion Kentucky AI data center campus
Brookfield and NextEra Energy are planning a $100 billion AI data center campus in Paducah, Kentucky, at a former uranium enrichment site. The project, expected to be operational by 2032, will provide over 1.2 gigawatts of computing capacity and aims to leverage existing site infrastructure.
Brookfield and NextEra Energy have announced plans for a massive $100 billion AI data center campus at the former U.S. Department of Energy's uranium enrichment site in Paducah, Kentucky. The project, a coalition effort including Big Rivers Electric Power Corp., Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative, and Paducah Power System, aims to deliver over 1.2 gigawatts of computing capacity and up to 1.8 gigawatts of power capacity, with full operations expected by 2032.
NextEra, the largest U.S. utility, will provide 2 gigawatts of natural gas-fired power and 2.6 gigawatts of battery storage, while Brookfield will manage the data center operations. The selection of the Paducah site, which operated from the 1950s until 2013 for uranium enrichment, is attributed to its existing infrastructure, including electricity transmission, water access, and fiber connectivity. These resources are expected to accelerate development.
This significant investment comes as the surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure intensifies pressure on the U.S. power grid. NextEra stated the development aligns with the Trump administration's "Ratepayer Protection Pledge," aiming to prevent data center electricity costs from burdening average households. Brookfield CEO Bruce Flatt indicated this project is a starting point for the company's broader $100 billion investment strategy in AI infrastructure. The project is currently subject to negotiations and definitive agreements.