IGNIS Energy pursues data center development in Rock County

IGNIS Energy USA, a San Diego-based energy company with a Spanish parent company, is exploring a potential data center campus in the Town of Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin. The project is still in its early stages, with no formal applications submitted or meetings scheduled. Emails obtained by 27 News show IGNIS Energy USA reached out to Rock County and Town of Janesville officials in late March for guidance on zoning and permitting requirements. The company indicated the project might incorporate on-site renewable energy generation and battery storage. Rock County Director of Planning and Land Conservation Andrew Baker informed IGNIS that the Town of Janesville holds independent zoning authority and referred the company to Town Clerk Don Blakeney. Tahir Fazal, representing IGNIS Energy USA, subsequently contacted Blakeney in early April to request a pre-application meeting and inquire about current zoning designations, conditional use permits, and the approval process. Blakeney responded in late April, stating he was coordinating with the Town's Planning and Zoning Committee and Town Board to schedule a virtual meeting. However, as of Wednesday, Blakeney confirmed that no meeting date has been set, and no building permits or zoning change requests have been filed.