Nixxy and Tachyon 9 are developing a $1 billion, one-gigawatt AI data campus in North Dakota designed to run on hydrogen fuel and closed-loop liquid cooling. The Nakota Data Campus, spanning 620 acres, aims to bypass strained local electrical grids and reduce the massive water consumption typical of hyperscale artificial intelligence facilities.
Energy and cooling design
The project will generate its own electricity on-site using hydrogen-capable Baker Hughes turbine technology. Developers plan to use hydrogen-rich fuel blends created from natural gas that would otherwise be flared, converting a wasted energy source into reliable computing capacity. Instead of traditional evaporative cooling, the facility will use a closed-loop liquid system that requires only an initial water fill and continuously recirculates the fluid.
Construction timeline and site advantages
Located in North Dakota's energy corridor, the 620-acre site offers access to abundant natural gas, scalable land, and cooler ambient temperatures. Construction is scheduled to deliver the first 120 to 150 megawatts of computing capacity by the second quarter of 2027, pending financing and regulatory approvals. Long-term plans call for scaling the site to a full gigawatt. Professionals tracking these shifts can explore AI for Real Estate & Construction to understand how large-scale digital infrastructure projects reshape local development.
Executive perspective
Shahal Khan, chief executive officer of Tachyon 9, said the project addresses the core environmental and operational bottlenecks of modern data centers. "Nakota is not trying to explain away the AI infrastructure debate, it is being engineered as the answer to it," Khan said. He added that firm on-site generation and reduced water consumption represent the necessary blueprint for future facilities.
Why this matters for real estate and construction
Data center construction demands distinct site selection criteria, prioritizing dedicated energy generation and specialized cooling infrastructure over traditional grid connections. Real estate developers and construction firms must adapt to these technical requirements, as hyperscale projects now require integrated utility plants and closed-loop mechanical systems rather than standard commercial builds.
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