The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced a partnership to transform the former Paducah Site in Kentucky into a major AI and high-performance computing data center campus powered by new energy infrastructure. The more than $100 billion privately funded investment is expected to create about 8,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs.
The project, led by partners including Brookfield, NextEra Energy, Big Rivers Electric Power Corporation, Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative, and Paducah Power System, will include new natural gas generation, upgraded transmission systems, and large-scale battery storage. The energy capacity is expected to exceed the campus’s needs, allowing additional power to flow to the regional grid and potentially help lower electricity costs.
The initiative is part of DOE’s American Energy Hubs program, which aims to redevelop former federal sites into centers for energy production, advanced manufacturing, and technology innovation. Construction is expected to be completed by 2031, positioning Paducah as a major hub for AI infrastructure and economic growth.
