Microsoft announces “world’s most powerful data center” in latest billion-dollar AI spending splurge
By Craig Hale
Copyright techradar
Skip to main content
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Close main menu
the business technology experts
België (Nederlands)
Deutschland
North America
US (English)
Australasia
New Zealand
View Profile
Search TechRadar
Expert Insights
Website builders
Web hosting
Best web hosting
Best office chairs
Best website builder
Best antivirus
Expert Insights
Don’t miss these
Meta unveils new plans for multi-gigawatt datacenter clusters the size of Manhattan
Project Stargate hits Europe – OpenAI launches giant data center powered by 100,000 Nvidia GPUs, but probably not in the country you’d expect
A massive Wyoming data center will soon use 5x more power than the state’s human occupants – but no one knows who is using it
Amazon’s data center spend tops $100bn – more than the GDP of most countries
AI’s infrastructure problem is bigger than we think—here’s how to solve it
Nebius and Microsoft to collaborate on multi-billion AI infrastructure agreement
AI > Crypto – Bitcoin mining spinoff gets $700 million investment from Nvidia to build hyperscale AI infrastructure using, you’ve guessed it, thousands of Blackwell GPUs
Data center expansions could bring destruction to the British countryside – and consumers might foot the bill
$1 trillion worth of data centers by 2030: US leads the way when it comes to colocation and hyperscale capacity – but for how long?
Remember the doomed AI nation ship? A shipping giant is now planning a real, moving, floating data center that could power thousands of AI GPUs
Nvidia is powering the UK’s fastest supercomputer yet – here’s what it can do
Meta pledges to spend billions on AI infrastructure – but will this help it catch up in the AI race
Microsoft says it will spend billions this year as AI moves pay off
Huawei throws massive 1-million NPU gauntlet at Nvidia and AMD as it positions itself an alternative to US AI giants
Open AI’s massive Project Stargate is already struggling, may be scaled back
Microsoft announces “world’s most powerful data center” in latest billion-dollar AI spending splurge
Craig Hale
19 September 2025
New Microsoft Wisconsin facility will begin operation soon
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Microsoft)
Microsoft declares its Wisconsin data center is 10x more powerful than today’s supercomputers
The company will have invested more than $7 billion into the project
Its first facility will open in early 2026, a second comes within three years
Microsoft has lifted the wraps off what it’s calling “the world’s most powerful AI data center” in Wisconsin, which the company says is set to be 10x more powerful than today’s fastest supercomputer.
At its core will be hundreds of thousands of Nvidia GPUs, all connected by enough fiber to wrap around the planet four times over, and it’s all in preparation to train next-generation frontier models.
However, responding to the learnings we’ve been taught so far, Microsoft is making big advancements in terms of sustainability to make this data center less damaging than the ones that came before.
You may like
Meta unveils new plans for multi-gigawatt datacenter clusters the size of Manhattan
Project Stargate hits Europe – OpenAI launches giant data center powered by 100,000 Nvidia GPUs, but probably not in the country you’d expect
A massive Wyoming data center will soon use 5x more power than the state’s human occupants – but no one knows who is using it
The world’s most powerful AI data center
Microsoft President Brad Smith explained the center will be 90% cooled with recirculated liquid using a closed-loop system with zero operational water waste – the remaining 10% of cooling power will come from outside air.
Smith compared the projected water usage to that of a single restaurant’s annual consumption.
Microsoft will also use pre-paid renewable energy to match every kWh from fossil fuels with carbon-free energy while it builds out a vast 250MW solar project to support the facility.
And this isn’t some long-term investment or a sign of things to come – an initial $3.3 billion investment will have the first facility live by early 2026. Another $4 billion investment will open a second facility within three years.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Smith also boasted about Microsoft’s local ecological efforts, such as restoring prairie and wetland habitats across Racine and Kenosha counties and further restoration work near Lake Michigan, Lamparek Creek, Kirkorian Park and Shagbark Restoration Area.
Apart from the 500 full-time employees set to hold roles at the first campus, and the additional 300 at the second campus, Microsoft also indirectly supported 3,000 jobs during peak construction.
The 315-acre site will form part of a network of over 400 Microsoft data centers in 70 regions, with further plans to partner with nScale to build the UK’s largest supercomputer showing that Microsoft has no plans to slow down.
You might also like
Access the most powerful chips with the best cloud computing providers
Microsoft shelves another $1bn data center project as tariff fears rise
Check out the best AI tools and best AI writers
With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Meta unveils new plans for multi-gigawatt datacenter clusters the size of Manhattan
Project Stargate hits Europe – OpenAI launches giant data center powered by 100,000 Nvidia GPUs, but probably not in the country you’d expect
A massive Wyoming data center will soon use 5x more power than the state’s human occupants – but no one knows who is using it
Amazon’s data center spend tops $100bn – more than the GDP of most countries
AI’s infrastructure problem is bigger than we think—here’s how to solve it
Nebius and Microsoft to collaborate on multi-billion AI infrastructure agreement
Latest in Pro
How eSIMs are making travel more sustainable
Over half of SMB employees say they’re considering quitting – so how can bosses keep their best talent?
Most companies admit their current security can’t stop AI cybercrime
Data sovereignty is becoming a bigger challenge than ever – so what steps can businesses take?
Ransomware and the UK’s proposed ban on payments: a measured legal response or risk amplifier?
AI > Crypto – Bitcoin mining spinoff gets $700 million investment from Nvidia to build hyperscale AI infrastructure using, you’ve guessed it, thousands of Blackwell GPUs
Latest in News
The end of Nest? Google’s mysterious speaker stars in new leak that hints at smart home shakeup
Peacemaker star Frank Grillo breaks down Rick Flag Sr’s brutal beatdown of Chris Smith in season 2 episode 6: ‘It’s like a volcano erupting’
I couldn’t decide between the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air, so I bought both – which one should I keep?
New trailer for Peacemaker drops a big clue that Chris Smith is about to learn the truth about the ‘best dimension ever’
Microsoft announces “world’s most powerful data center” in latest billion-dollar AI spending splurge
The Metaverse is not dead and AI may be its new savior
LATEST ARTICLES
Peacemaker star Frank Grillo breaks down Rick Flag Sr’s brutal beatdown of Chris Smith in season 2 episode 6: ‘It’s like a volcano erupting’
‘I actually took a call on a jet-ski a few weeks ago… you can basically stand in a wind tunnel’: Mark Zuckerberg may have just solved my biggest open-ear headphone problem with the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses
The end of Nest? Google’s mysterious speaker stars in new leak that hints at smart home shakeup
Over half of SMB employees say they’re considering quitting – so how can bosses keep their best talent?
Most companies admit their current security can’t stop AI cybercrime
TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Contact Future’s experts
Terms and conditions
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Advertise with us
Web notifications
Accessibility Statement
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…