Meta Beaver Dam: $1B AI Data Center Dodge County Wisconsin
Status: Under Construction (March 2026) | Location: Beaver Dam (Dodge County), Wisconsin
Project Overview
The Meta data center campus in Beaver Dam represents one of the most strategically significant AI infrastructure investments in the United States, reflecting the company’s aggressive push toward building capacity for advanced artificial intelligence and “superintelligence” systems. First officially confirmed in December 2025, the $1 billion project is designed with a “front-loaded” architecture prioritizing immediate large-scale compute deployment rather than phased expansion, highlighting a shift in hyperscale development strategy toward rapid readiness for AI workloads. By March 2026, construction has progressed substantially, with Mortenson leading critical early-stage activities, including site grading, foundational work, and infrastructure preparation.
A pivotal regulatory milestone occurred on March 4, 2026, when the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin mandated Alliant Energy to disclose previously redacted portions of its service agreement with Meta. This disclosure revealed the campus will require approximately 220 megawatts (MW) of power, equivalent to the electricity consumption of around 165,000 homes, underscoring the immense energy demands associated with next-generation AI data centers. To support this requirement, Meta has committed an additional $200 million toward regional energy infrastructure, including the development of new transmission lines and grid enhancements, signaling a growing trend of hyperscalers directly investing in utility-scale upgrades to secure reliable power access.
Sustainability remains a central component of the project’s framework. Meta has partnered with Ducks Unlimited to restore approximately 570 acres of wetlands and prairie ecosystems in the surrounding area. This initiative is aligned with the company’s goal of achieving “net water positive” operations, balancing high resource consumption with ecological restoration and water stewardship.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Meta Beaver Dam: $1B AI Data Center Dodge County Wisconsin |
| Location | Beaver Dam (Dodge County), Wisconsin |
| Status | Under Construction (March 2026) |
| Commissioning | Phase 1 Online: 2027 |
| Total IT Load | 220 MW (Recently unredacted capacity) |
| Total Capacity | 700,000 Sq. Ft. (Initial phase) |
| Tier Level | Tier IV (AI-Ready Architecture) |
| Project Type | Hyperscale AI Training & Social Infrastructure Hub |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Beaver Dam |
| Population | ~16,700 (2023 estimate) |
| Urban Agglomeration | ~65,000 (Dodge County region estimate) |
| City GDP | Not officially published; estimated ~$800 million–$1.2 billion (based on regional economic output) |
| Per Capita Income | ~$32,000–$35,000 |
| City Tier | Tier 3 (Small city, regional economic hub) |
| Key Strengths | Manufacturing base, agricultural economy, logistics connectivity, proximity to Madison and Milwaukee, stable workforce |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Developer / Operator | Meta Platforms, Inc. |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Alliant Energy / City of Beaver Dam Economic Development. |
| Construction Contractor | Mortenson Construction. |
| MEP Engineering | Meta Global Infrastructure Design. |
| Network Connectivity | Dedicated high-bandwidth "AI-Fabric" linked to the Midwest Ring. |
| Power Infrastructure | $200M in dedicated upgrades; 10-year service contract with Alliant. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | 220 MW |
| UPS Redundancy | $2N$ configuration with modular backup power systems. |
| Cooling System | AI-optimized evaporative cooling (100% water restoration pledge). |
| Connectivity | Core node for Meta’s global AI training and inference engine. |
| PUE Target | < 1.15 |
| Energy Mix | 100% Renewable energy matching (LEED Gold Certification). |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | November 12, 2025 (Official State Announcement) |
| Construction Start | Late 2025 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | 2027 |
| Full Buildout | 2029+ |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Total Investment | $1.2 Billion |
| Funding | Meta Platforms Inc. Capital Expenditures. |