Google invests $3.3 billion in new data centers in South Carolina

Google has unveiled plans to invest $3.3 billion in the construction of two new data centers located in South Carolina. This initiative comes amid a wave of investments from rivals like Microsoft and Amazon, who are also enhancing their infrastructure to support AI capabilities. These investments are vital for providing the necessary computing power, data storage, and network connectivity essential for efficiently processing large datasets.

Of the $3.3 billion total investment, a notable $2 billion will be directed toward developing campuses at the Pine Hill Business Campus in Ridgeville and Winding Woods Commerce Park in St. George. Additionally, $1.3 billion is designated for the expansion of Google’s existing data center in Berkeley County, which is projected to generate 200 operational jobs in the region.

Google is not alone in its expansion efforts; the tech giant is simultaneously investing €1 billion (approximately $1.1 billion) in enhancing its data center in Finland and allocating $2 billion towards an AI-focused data center in Malaysia.

Amazon is also making significant strides with an $11 billion investment dedicated to new data centers in Indiana. This project includes the development of four solar farms and a wind farm, which collectively boast a capacity exceeding 600 MW to meet the energy demands of the data centers.

As large tech companies continue to build and expand these energy-intensive data centers globally, the demand for energy is expected to surge. However, many are shifting toward sustainable energy solutions. For instance, Microsoft recently disclosed its plans to revitalize the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. Historically known for a significant nuclear incident in 1979, this facility is expected to supply 835 megawatts of power to support Microsoft’s data centers, with a goal for all its facilities to operate on clean energy by 2025.

Source: Reuters | Image via Depositphotos.com

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