Brookfield, NextEra to Develop $100 Billion Data Center Campus in Kentucky

By Robb M. Stewart

Brookfield Asset Management and power company NextEra Energy are teaming to build a $100 billion AI data center on the site of a Cold War-era uranium-enrichment plant.

A partnership of energy, infrastructure and utility companies plan to develop a data center campus on the Department of Energy's Paducah site in western Kentucky, repurposing the land as part of a privately-funded project that aims to create a center for innovation and energy generation.

When fully constructed in 2032, the campus plans to support up to 1.8 gigawatts of utility capacity and more than 1.2 gigawatts of compute capacity, which the companies aid will be backed by up to 4.6 gigawatts of dedicated generation resources that will be paid for and built specifically for the project.

The partnership brings together Brookfield, NextEra Energy, non-profit utilities Big Rivers Electric Power and Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative, and local Paducah Power System.

"It's difficult to overestimate the importance of this project. The planning and investment by NextEra Energy and Brookfield provides a crucial roadmap for future projects in the United States by revealing the ability to build world leading infrastructure without passing costs on to surrounding communities," Energy Secretary Chris Wright said.

After issuing a request for offers late last year, the Energy Department selected Brookfield to lease land and develop and operate the data center campus at the Paducah site. The department also selected NextEra Energy to build and own dedicated generation resources to power the campus. The project is subject to negotiation and execution of definitive documentation.

Big Rivers Electric Power will provide wholesale electric service, Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative will deliver retail service, and Paducah Power System will serve as a community supporter, the companies said.

The Paducah site will be the seed of a plan to invest $100 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure, Brookfield Chief Executive Bruce Flatt said. "Demand for critical infrastructure that accelerates innovation in the U.S. and supports the economy will need to be met with capital, development capabilities, and additional power generation that benefits local communities," he said.

The development is expected to create about 8,000 construction jobs and 600 full-time operations jobs.

Write to Robb M. Stewart at robb.stewart@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 29, 2026 09:56 ET (13:56 GMT)