A project that could redefine the scale of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in the United States took a significant step forward earlier this month, as Laramie County commissioners unanimously approved plans for what could become the largest single AI campus in the country. The 10-gigawatt-capacity Project Jade data center, spearheaded by Crusoe and Tallgrass Energy Partners, positions Wyoming as a potential leader in high-performance computing and AI development.
The proposed Jade data center, set to open with an initial capacity of 1.8 gigawatts, will be built on an 810-acre site located eight miles south of Cheyenne in the Switch Grass Industrial Park area. Construction is expected to begin soon, with the first phase slated for completion by 2027. If fully expanded to 10 gigawatts, the project would dwarf existing data centers and rival the energy output of ten large nuclear power plants.
"This data center, at 10 gigawatts, is huge", said Johanna Fornberg, a senior researcher at Greenpeace USA. "I mean, a large nuclear power plant provides about 1 gigawatt of energy. So, at the top end, we’re talking about the same energy output as 10 big nuclear power plants, which is a lot."
The two interconnected components of the project include the Crusoe-led Jade AI campus and the nearby Cheyenne Power Hub, which will be built by Tallgrass Energy Partners. The power hub will provide energy through natural gas turbines, with future plans to integrate carbon capture and renewable energy sources such as solar to offset emissions.
Wyoming officials have praised the project as a key step toward economic diversification and technological competitiveness. U.S. Senator John Barrasso highlighted the state’s pro-business environment, stating, "Our commitment to innovation and investment is what makes our state great. New, state-of-the-art data centers like this will bring high-paying jobs and a skilled workforce to southeast Wyoming."
The center’s proximity to Tallgrass’ existing carbon sequestration hub was also cited as a strategic advantage, enabling the facility to potentially capture emissions from its gas turbines. Still, critics like Fornberg argue that such measures are insufficient compared to transitioning fully to renewable energy. "Carbon capture is sort of one of these techno solutions that is very energy intensive, expensive and often just increases net emissions and pollution overall", she said.
Wyoming Energy Authority Executive Director Rob Creager framed the project as essential to maintaining U.S. leadership in AI, particularly in light of global competition with nations like China. "It is really crucial to national security that we lead on AI and that we have those technologies", Creager said.
