Microsoft invests over $7bn in sustainable AI data centres in Wisconsin

Microsoft is finalising its Fairwater data centre in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, a $3.3 billion AI-focused facility scheduled to go live in early 2026. Designed to surpass current supercomputers by a factor of ten, the centre clusters large numbers of NVIDIA GPUs to accelerate AI research across medicine, science, and advanced manufacturing.

A further $4 billion commitment for a second site lifts Microsoft’s total Wisconsin investment to more than $7 billion, reflecting the company’s strategic focus on AI infrastructure in the US Midwest.

Sustainability is central to the project. Over 90% of cooling is delivered via closed-loop systems, carbon emissions are offset, and a 250MW solar development will balance energy consumption across both sites. These measures exemplify Microsoft’s approach to energy-efficient and environmentally responsible AI operations at scale.

The economic impact is significant. Construction will employ over 3,000 workers, with up to 800 full-time staff to be hired across both facilities. Additionally, Microsoft is investing in workforce development and local innovation, launching Wisconsin’s first Datacenter Academy and an AI Co-Innovation Lab to cultivate skills and foster collaboration between industry and community stakeholders.

Fairwater positions Wisconsin as a hub for AI research and enterprise-scale computing, while demonstrating how large technology investments can simultaneously drive economic growth, sustainability, and skills development.

Explore the full article to see how Microsoft is reshaping the future of AI infrastructure and sustainable technology investment.