Compass Datacenters Columbus Data Center Campus: 60MW Hyperscale Hub
Status: Operational / Active Expansion Phase | Location: New Albany International Business Park, Greater Columbus Metropolitan Area, Ohio, USA
Project Overview
Compass Datacenters' Columbus Campus is a sustainable, AI-ready digital infrastructure development strategically located within the New Albany International Business Park, one of the Midwest's fastest-growing technology and cloud infrastructure hubs. Purpose-built to meet the evolving requirements of hyperscale cloud providers, enterprise customers, and AI-driven applications, the campus is developed using Compass Datacenters' standardized modular manufacturing platform, enabling rapid deployment, consistent quality, and seamless scalability as customer demand increases. The multi-building campus is engineered to support high-density computing environments required for artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), high-performance computing (HPC), and large-scale cloud workloads while maintaining high levels of operational efficiency and reliability. Electrical power is supplied through American Electric Power (AEP Ohio), providing resilient utility infrastructure capable of supporting mission-critical operations and future expansion. To improve sustainability, the campus incorporates Compass's proprietary indirect air cooling technology, which operates without consuming water during normal cooling operations, reducing environmental impact while delivering efficient thermal performance for modern IT equipment. The facility also benefits from direct access to Columbus's extensive dark fiber infrastructure, enabling low-latency connectivity to regional internet exchanges, cloud service providers, enterprise networks, and major telecommunications carriers. Its strategic location within one of the nation's leading data center markets, combined with modular construction, energy-efficient waterless cooling, scalable design, and robust network connectivity, positions Compass Datacenters' Columbus Campus as a future-ready platform supporting the continued growth of cloud computing, digital transformation, and AI infrastructure across the Midwest.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Compass Datacenters Columbus Data Center Campus: 60MW Hyperscale Hub |
| Location | New Albany International Business Park, Greater Columbus Metropolitan Area, Ohio, USA |
| Status | Operational / Active Expansion Phase |
| Commissioning | Initial Phase Go-Live: 2015 / Expansion & AI-Ready Upgrades: 2024–2026+ |
| Total IT Load | ~48 MW – 60 MW Critical IT Power Capacity |
| Total Capacity | ~60 MW Total Utility Power Allocation across a multi-building campus footprint |
| Tier Level | Tier III Certified Architecture / ISO 27001, SOC 1 Type II, SOC 2 Type II, LEED Gold Certified Platform |
| Project Type | Purpose-Built Hyperscale, Waterless-Cooled & High-Density AI Colocation Campus |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
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| City Name | Columbus |
| Population | Approximately 900,000 (2023 estimate) |
| Urban Agglomeration | Around 2.1 million (metro area) |
| City GDP | Approximately $85 billion |
| Per Capita Income | About $33,000 (2022 estimate) |
| City Tier | Tier 2 city (based on size, economic strength, and development) |
| Key Strengths | Education and Research: Home to Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the U.S. |
Companies Involved
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| Developer / Operator | Compass Datacenters |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | American Electric Power (AEP Ohio) & New Albany Business Park Utility Network |
| Construction Contractor | Specialized US Mission-Critical EPC Contractors & Off-Site Modular Assembly Partners |
| MEP Engineering | Compass Datacenters In-House Global Technical & Thermal Engineering Teams |
| Network Connectivity | Carrier-neutral host with dual redundant underground fiber entrance vaults; multi-tenant Meet-Me-Rooms (MMRs); low-latency connection to regional fiber routes linking Columbus to Chicago, Ashburn, and New York. |
| Power Infrastructure | Dual high-voltage grid incomers supplied by AEP Ohio, distributed static 2N / N+1 uninterruptible power supply (UPS) modules, automated switchgear, and backup diesel generator plants with multi-day on-site fuel autonomy. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
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| Power Capacity | ~60 MW Total Utility Power Allocation |
| UPS Redundancy | 2N / N+1 Static Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Configuration |
| Cooling System | Closed-loop indirect air cooling system operating with zero water consumption, Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling (DLC) readiness for high-density GPU racks, and automated BMS environmental controls. |
| Connectivity | Carrier-neutral access with direct low-latency cloud express on-ramps and cross-connect options across North American networks. |
| PUE Target | < 1.25 Annualized Operational Design PUE |
| Energy Mix | High-percentage clean energy grid mix supplied via AEP Ohio clean power programs. |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
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| Announcement | Initial Buildout: 2014 / Expansion Phases: 2023–2025 |
| Construction Start | Completed / Ongoing Active Campus Buildouts |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Operational |
| Full Buildout | Operational Active Metro Expansion |
Investment Details
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| Total Investment | Estimated $200,000,000 USD to $350,000,000 USD |
| Funding | Corporate Capital Expenditure & Infrastructure Financing by Compass Datacenters / Brookfield Infrastructure Partners & Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan |