Veolia has been chosen to operate and maintain a 350MW microgrid that will supply power for an AI data centre campus in Ohio, US.
The project, commissioned by an unnamed developer, will function independently from the traditional electric grid, meeting the full energy needs of the facility through on-site power generation and battery storage.
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This contract expands Veolia’s presence in the US energy sector for data centres and follows the launch of its Data Center Resource 360 offering earlier in 2024.
The company will manage the site under a performance-based model that aims to maximise uptime, equipment performance, and operational accountability.
With rapid growth in AI infrastructure driving demand for electricity, many data centre developers in the US are experiencing delays in securing power from public utilities.
The Ohio microgrid will use a combination of gas engines, linear generators, a 430MWh battery storage system, and medium-voltage infrastructure to provide resilient power for continuous AI operations.
The facility is designed to achieve a 99.9% availability target and will require 35-40 full-time on-site staff for round-the-clock operation.
Veolia will be responsible for overseeing the integration of operations, providing support during commissioning, and managing long-term plant operations.
The company’s remit covers startup readiness, development of operating procedures, and coordination among contractors during construction.
Veolia Energy North America CEO Karin Hamel said: “Our work on this project shows how Veolia can help developers accelerate speed-to-power while maintaining the reliability required for mission-critical AI operations, all while protecting the community.”
Data centre growth is expected to continue increasing demand for skilled energy operators, as noted by the requirement for a dedicated 24/7 workforce at this facility.
