Microsoft gets approval for 15 new data centers in US

Microsoft has received approval from the Mount Pleasant village board in Wisconsin, United States, to build 15 additional data centers near its existing facility.

The project involves nearly 9 million sq ft of building space and three substations, with a combined taxable value exceeding US$13 billion.

It could create jobs for up to 10 years and aims to support revenue recognition from clients such as OpenAI amid competition from Amazon, Google, and Oracle for AI-focused infrastructure.

The village’s support follows previous local approval, despite some opposition from residents concerned about job permanence and site rezoning issues.

Microsoft purchased the land for the project from both the village and private owners in 2023 and 2024.

The plans now await final civil engineering approval and building permits before construction begins.

🔗 Source: CNBC

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Approval is a milestone, but utility buildouts will shape the energization timeline

Unanimous approval was granted for Microsoft’s 15 new data centers, yet the operating timeline for the more than $13 billion build has not been clarified.
Large electrical work is required, including the Racine County Western Feed Project, which is described by ATC as needed to support multiple large new load additions within the Electronics and Information Technology Manufacturing Zone (EITMZ) requested by We Energies in southeastern Wisconsin 1. Two new substations and new transmission lines are included, with costs estimated at about $593.8 million (proposed route) to about $621.9 million (alternative route). At the May 23, 2025 final decision, completion for the substations was anticipated for June 2028 1.
More capacity is also being built through the PSC’s Elm Road-Racine Transmission Project (a Public Service Commission-reviewed power-line buildout), which is described as needed in the Elm Road to Racine corridor so new loads and generators can reliably interconnect to the system 2. The data center energization schedule should be checked against these multi-year timelines since revenue already booked from OpenAI and other clients depends on added capacity.

Microsoft-driven load could expand demand for utility renewable programs, while policy debates continue

Microsoft’s electricity demand could open new business for renewable energy developers and investors in Wisconsin.
A PSC renewables report summarized by Renew Wisconsin puts We Energies at 6.2% renewable electricity sales in 2022, which leaves a large supply gap 3. Developers can steer eligible commercial and industrial customers to We Energies’ “Renewable Pathway” pilot, which lets them subscribe to part of a Wisconsin-based utility-scale renewable generating facility 4.
Customers can also use We Energies’ “Energy for Tomorrow,” a tariffed renewable energy program that sells renewable electricity for a premium over the standard energy charge through usage percentage or blocks 5. Separately, Wisconsin lawmakers are debating limits on large data centers, including a Republican-backed proposal that would require onsite renewable energy, though the bill’s outcome remains uncertain 6.