DataBank Virginia South Campus Culpeper: 192MW Sustainable AI Hub
Status: Under Construction / Active Phase 1 Development | Location: Technology Zone Industrial Park, Culpeper, Virginia 22701, United States
Project Overview
DataBank’s Virginia South Campus in Culpeper is a flagship hyperscale digital infrastructure development strategically positioned to extend Northern Virginia’s world-leading data center ecosystem beyond Ashburn’s "Data Center Alley." Developed across an 85-acre site within Culpeper’s designated Technology Zone, the multi-building campus is designed to deliver up to 192 MW of critical IT capacity, providing scalable infrastructure for global hyperscale cloud providers, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), high-performance computing (HPC), enterprise platforms, and large digital service providers. Engineered for next-generation computing environments, the three-building campus supports high-density deployments exceeding 50 kW per rack, making it ideally suited for GPU-intensive AI training clusters and advanced cloud infrastructure. The facility incorporates highly efficient closed-loop cooling systems, resilient 2N electrical architecture, and an on-site utility substation to ensure reliable power delivery, operational resilience, and long-term scalability for mission-critical workloads. As a carrier-neutral campus, Virginia South features path-diverse underground fiber routes providing low-latency connectivity to Ashburn’s primary carrier hotels, cloud availability zones, internet exchanges, and international subsea cable gateways serving North America and global markets. Supported by advanced physical security, continuous infrastructure monitoring, and flexible colocation deployment options, the Virginia South Campus provides a future-ready platform for cloud expansion, AI innovation, enterprise digital transformation, and the continued growth of Virginia as the world's premier hyperscale data center region.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | DataBank Virginia South Campus Culpeper: 192MW Sustainable AI Hub |
| Location | Technology Zone Industrial Park, Culpeper, Virginia 22701, United States |
| Status | Under Construction / Active Phase 1 Development |
| Commissioning | Phase 1 Go-Live: 2025–2026 / Multi-Phase Campus Buildout |
| Total IT Load | 192 MW Critical IT Power Capacity Allocation |
| Total Capacity | 192 MW Total Critical Power Capacity across 3 purpose-built facilities on an 85-acre footprint |
| Tier Level | Tier III Certified Architecture / ISO 27001, SOC 1 Type II, SOC 2 Type II, PCI-DSS, HIPAA |
| Project Type | Purpose-Built Greenfield Hyperscale, High-Density AI-Ready Colocation & Enterprise Cloud Hub |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
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| City Name | Virginia |
| Population | ≈ 1.77 million |
| Urban Agglomeration | ≈ 1.05 million (Charleston–Huntington–Parkersburg combined urban influence) |
| City GDP | ≈ USD 95–100 billion |
| Per Capita Income | ≈ USD 52,000 |
| City Tier | Tier-2 (Emerging / Strategic State Economy) |
| Key Strengths | Strategic East Coast proximity (close to DC, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania) |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
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| Developer / Operator | DataBank |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Dominion Energy Virginia / Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) |
| Construction Contractor | Specialized US Mission-Critical EPC Contractors |
| MEP Engineering | DataBank In-House Global Technical Infrastructure & Engineering Teams |
| Network Connectivity | Carrier-neutral platform featuring subterranean path-diverse fiber entrance vaults; redundant Meet-Me-Rooms (MMRs); direct low-latency dark fiber backhaul linking to Ashburn carrier hotels (Equinix IAD ecosystem) and Virginia Beach subsea cable landing stations. |
| Power Infrastructure | Dedicated 115kV/230kV high-voltage utility substation built on-site, static distributed 2N / N+1 uninterruptible power supply (UPS) modules, automated switchgear, and standby emergency diesel generator arrays with multi-day on-site fuel reserves. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
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| Power Capacity | 192 MW Secured Utility Power Allocation |
| UPS Redundancy | 2N / N+1 Distributed Redundant Static UPS Architecture |
| Cooling System | High-efficiency closed-loop air-cooled chiller plant requiring zero water consumption, Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling (DLC) readiness for ultra-high-density GPU arrays, and automated BMS environmental controls. |
| Connectivity | Carrier-neutral host offering direct low-latency cloud express on-ramps and cross-connect options across North American fiber corridors. |
| PUE Target | < 1.25 Annualized Operational Design PUE |
| Energy Mix | High-reliability grid power integrated with options for 100% renewable energy sourcing and solar/wind Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
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| Announcement | 2023–2024 |
| Construction Start | 2024 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Target 2025–2026 |
| Full Buildout | Active Multi-Building Campus Expansion |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
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| Total Investment | Estimated $1,500,000,000+ USD Total Campus Capital Expenditure |
| Funding | Corporate Capital Expenditure & Private Equity Financing (DataBank / DigitalBridge) |