Microsoft celebrates massive data center construction on deserted Foxconn facility in Wisconsin
Microsoft 365 is making a significant leap towards sustainability with its ambitious plan to build a 250 MW solar farm, matching every kilowatt hour it uses from fossil fuels with a corresponding quantity of renewable energy. This move marks a significant step in the tech giant's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
However, the journey to this point has not been without its challenges. In January, Microsoft 365 paused its expansion plans to evaluate the scope and recent changes in technology. This pause was not permanent, as the company has since more than doubled down on its original plans, announcing a $4 billion second datacenter.
The location for this colossal project is Fairwater, Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. The site was initially intended to be a high-tech campus by Foxconn, a Taiwanese manufacturer. However, the company delivered only 281 jobs and ultimately abandoned the LCD production facility on the site. Microsoft 365 took over much of the land from Foxconn to build the datacenter, a decision that has been met with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
The datacenter, when completed, will be a marvel of modern technology. It will be ten times faster than the world's largest supercomputer, boasting hundreds of thousands of Nvidia GB200s. To cool this massive infrastructure, Microsoft 365 will employ a closed-loop liquid cooling system that consumes the equivalent water of an American restaurant's yearly use. This system will be supported by the second largest water-cooled chiller plant on the planet.
The datacenter's fiber connections will encircle the Earth 4.5 times, approximately 35,550 miles (57,600 kilometers). Such a vast network will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the local infrastructure, raising concerns about straining power and water resources. However, Microsoft 365's president Brad Smith has assured residents that these concerns will be addressed.
The datacenter's energy consumption is expected to be substantial. According to environmental groups, the combined energy consumption of Microsoft 365's datacenter in Fairwater and the nearby Vantage datacenter in Port Washington will be enough to power 4.33 million homes, more than the state's 2.8 million dwellings.
The construction of this datacenter holds personal significance for Brad Smith, who hails from Mount Pleasant. In a statement, he expressed his sentiment by saying, "It's an honour to invest in my hometown by building datacenters that will power the future of technology."
The datacenter will also feature 172 20-foot fans for cooling and recirculating water in its closed loop cooling system. Despite the challenges and concerns, Microsoft 365 remains committed to its vision of building the "world's largest datacenter" in Fairwater, Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.
However, the name of the manager coordinating the construction of the second data center in Wisconsin remains undisclosed. The construction of this datacenter is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region, but it also raises questions about the balance between technological progress and environmental sustainability.
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