Stak Energy has announced plans to build a massive natural gas-powered data center campus on Alaska's North Slope. The proposed development, located in the remote Umiat Meridian area, aims to deliver up to 3GW of capacity, utilizing the region's natural resources and cold climate for efficient operations.
The project site spans 715.4 acres of land near the Dalton Highway, roughly 26 miles south of Deadhorse. This location has already received preliminary approval for a lease from the State of Alaska, according to a filing with the state. The filing indicates that the facility will include "the construction, operation, and maintenance of a commercial natural gas-powered energy facility, including modular high-performance computing units, on-site natural gas power generation infrastructure, operations, and maintenance buildings, fiber optic communication links, and supporting utilities."
The data center's power will come from an on-site natural gas generation system, which is expected to provide approximately 1GW of capacity. This will be fueled by newly built natural gas pipelines, which are currently in the planning stages.
Construction of the Stak Energy Campus is set to begin in summer 2026. Initial efforts will focus on permitting and procurement for the required pipeline and power generation components. The project will be executed in phases, starting with site preparation and the development of gravel roads and pads. Subsequent stages will include the installation of natural gas pipelines, utilities, power generation systems, and modular high-performance computing (HPC) units.
Although the exact number of HPC units has not been disclosed, Stak Energy plans to leverage Alaska's ambient temperatures to enhance cooling efficiency for its operations. The company anticipates that initial operations at the facility will commence by late 2028.
The facility is expected to support cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) training, and other data-driven operations. It will also play a role in serving the data needs of existing oil and gas producers in the North Slope region.
Alaska is not traditionally known as a hub for data centers, but interest in the state appears to be growing. Deadhorse, located near the proposed site, is home to a data center operated by Far North Digital, while a few other smaller facilities exist elsewhere in the state. Meanwhile, the state government is actively seeking to attract more development in this sector.
Recently, the US Department of the Air Force issued a Request for Lease Proposal to develop data centers on underutilized land at three of its Alaskan sites: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base, and Clear Space Force Station. Collectively, these sites offer approximately 4,700 acres for potential projects.
Stak Energy, an Alaska-based company, specializes in behind-the-meter power generation and energy infrastructure. The proposed modular data center campus represents the company’s continued focus on utilizing natural resources and innovative technology to support energy and computing needs.
This ambitious project underscores the potential for Alaska's natural advantages to support large-scale data operations, while marking a significant step forward for Stak Energy in the energy and technology sectors.
