Canadian data center developer Beacon Data Centers has announced plans to build the Calvert Infrastructure Hub, a $6 billion campus in Mobile County, Alabama, marking one of the largest single investments in the state’s digital infrastructure sector. The project underscores the accelerating race among North American operators to secure land, power, and regulatory support for massive AI and cloud computing facilities.
The hub will be situated on a 650-acre parcel, though the data center buildings themselves will occupy only 95 acres, leaving the remainder as a wooded buffer and open space. Once operational, the campus will house two data center buildings designed to support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital communications, and other online services. Beacon Data Centers, backed by Nadia Partners, has a rapidly expanding North American pipeline that now includes more than ten campuses and roughly 6 GW of planned capacity across Alberta, New Brunswick, Texas, California, and Ohio.
In a notable departure from industry norms, Beacon stated that the Calvert Infrastructure Hub will not rely on diesel backup generators, a decision that eliminates on-site diesel emissions and generator noise. The company explained in an FAQ that the site was chosen due to the availability of industrial land, the region’s workforce, and proximity to power sources. To further mitigate noise, the design includes a 1,000-foot setback from the property line along with additional noise buffers.
Power for the campus will be supplied by Alabama Power, and Beacon has committed to funding all necessary energy and infrastructure upgrades, including grid connection extensions. The company emphasized that the project will not affect local power supply or electricity prices in Mobile County. On water usage, the facility will feature a closed-loop water cooling system instead of evaporative cooling, minimizing its impact on the local water supply.
The project is currently in the planning and engineering phase, with construction on the first building expected to be completed in 2027. Beacon is actively engaging with the community to address concerns, and expects the development to create 1,000 construction jobs and up to 250 permanent operational positions once the hub is fully operational.
Alabama has become an increasingly attractive destination for data center investment, thanks to its affordable land, abundant energy resources, and favorable tax policies. Tech giants such as Google and Meta have already established a presence in the state. According to data compiled by Cleanview, as of July 2026, Alabama hosts 13 operational data centers with a combined capacity of 764 MW, with an additional 14 facilities planned that would more than triple total capacity to 2,704 MW. It remains unclear how much capacity the Calvert Infrastructure Hub will contribute to that figure.
Source: w.media