Related Digital's $1.2B Wyoming Data Center Anchored by CoreWeave: What Builders Should Prepare For
A $1.2B data center in Wyoming with CoreWeave as the anchor tenant signals one thing: committed demand for high-density AI workloads. For developers, GCs, and subs, this points to fast-tracked schedules, complex MEP scopes, and tighter coordination with utility and permitting bodies.
While final specs aren't public, an AI-first anchor typically pushes designs toward higher rack densities, liquid cooling readiness, and larger upstream electrical infrastructure. That affects site selection, phasing, procurement, and contract strategy from day one.
Why an Anchor Tenant Like CoreWeave Changes the Build
- Financing and certainty: Pre-committed capacity reduces lease-up risk and supports capital deployment at scale.
- Program clarity: Early design targets for power density, cooling method, and fiber help avoid rework and scope creep.
- Phasing with intent: Hall-by-hall delivery aligned to compute demand and interconnection milestones.
- Long-term expansion: Shell, yard, and substation planning should anticipate future megawatt blocks and cooling retrofits.
Wyoming Site Factors That Matter
- Power access and interconnection: Priority is proximity to transmission, substation siting, and realistic queue timelines.
- Tax and incentives: Wyoming has a track record of business-friendly policies; verify eligibility for data center equipment exemptions and local abatements early.
- Fiber routes: Dual diverse paths and carrier redundancy are non-negotiable for AI workloads.
- Water and cooling: If liquid systems are planned, secure water rights and discharge permits with reuse strategies.
Industrial electricity pricing in Wyoming is typically competitive, which supports AI-scale operations. For context on state energy conditions, see the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Wyoming profile here.
Power and Cooling Program: Build for AI Density
- Electrical: Plan for high power density per rack, larger UPS blocks, and clear pathways for future capacity adds without extended downtime.
- Cooling: Design for liquid-ready deployment (rear-door heat exchangers and/or direct-to-chip). Keep space, structural support, and loops planned even if initial fit-out is air-first.
- Water stewardship: Prioritize closed-loop systems, heat reuse where practical, and metering to validate reductions.
- Resilience: Align generator strategy, fuel storage, and potential battery systems with uptime requirements and local air permits.
Procurement and Schedule: Remove Bottlenecks Early
- Long-lead items: Medium/low-voltage switchgear, transformers, generators, chillers, and cooling modules need early release.
- Modularity: Standardize electrical rooms, skids, and cooling modules to compress schedule and simplify QA/QC.
- Bid packaging: Split site, shell, core MEP, and fit-out to run in parallel. Lock critical vendors with alternates for risk coverage.
- Commissioning: Commission by hall with repeatable scripts. Plan integrated systems testing as a rolling sequence, not a single gate.
Contracts, Cost, and Risk
- Commercial model: GMP with clear escalation indices for copper, steel, and electrical gear. Tie allowances to defined equipment selections.
- Design guardrails: Freeze interface points (busway vs. cable, chiller vs. CDU topology) to prevent cascading changes.
- Supply chain hedges: Dual-qualified manufacturers where possible, plus logistics plans for oversize loads and winter conditions.
- Change management: AI hardware evolves fast; protect the schedule with predefined swap criteria that don't trigger re-design.
Workforce and Local Execution
- Labor planning: Validate craft availability and peak manpower curves with regional partners; consider staggered shifts to hit dates.
- Training: Liquid cooling, high-density racks, and energized work require targeted upskilling and strict safety protocols.
- Local engagement: Early alignment with county officials, utilities, and inspectors clears paths for grading, foundations, and early energization.
What to Watch Next
- Interconnection approvals and substation timelines.
- Cooling approach confirmation (air-only start vs. liquid-ready from day one).
- Water rights and discharge permits.
- Phased delivery dates and additional tenant commitments.
Action Checklist for Developers and GCs
- Lock preliminary one-line, cooling basis, and density targets with the tenant team.
- Release long-lead gear and modular packages during early design.
- Secure dual fiber paths and utility easements before vertical work.
- Set commissioning scripts and turnover criteria by phase, not project-end.
CoreWeave's role as anchor points this project at AI-scale performance and reliability standards. Track utility, permitting, and procurement decisions closely-these will decide whether the $1.2B turns into on-time, revenue-generating capacity.
For background on the anchor tenant's focus, see CoreWeave.
