Wyoming AI Could Outpace Human Electricity Use Soon
▼ Summary
– Mayor Patrick Collins announced plans for an AI data center in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which will consume more electricity than all homes in the state combined.
– The facility, a joint venture between Tallgrass and Crusoe, will start at 1.8 gigawatts and could scale up to 10 gigawatts, dwarfing Wyoming’s current energy consumption.
– The project will rely on dedicated gas generation and renewable energy sources, as drawing from the public grid is unfeasible, marking a major shift for Wyoming’s energy landscape.
– Governor Mark Gordon highlighted the project’s potential benefits for Wyoming’s natural gas industry, calling it “exciting news” for local producers.
– The proposed site is near Cheyenne, and while regulatory approval is pending, Mayor Collins expects the project to move forward quickly.
A massive AI data center planned for Wyoming could consume more electricity than every home in the state combined, raising questions about energy demands in the era of artificial intelligence. The facility, a collaboration between energy firm Tallgrass and AI infrastructure developer Crusoe, is projected to start at 1.8 gigawatts, enough to dwarf residential power usage statewide, with potential expansion up to 10 gigawatts.
The numbers are staggering for Wyoming, which has the smallest population of any U.S. state. The initial phase alone would require 15.8 terawatt-hours per year, exceeding household electricity consumption by more than five times. That’s nearly 91% of the state’s total current energy demand across all sectors. If fully scaled, the center’s annual usage could hit 87.6 terawatt-hours, double Wyoming’s entire existing power generation.
Since tapping the public grid at this scale isn’t feasible, the project will depend on its own dedicated energy mix, including natural gas and renewables. Still, the sheer volume of power needed marks a dramatic shift for a state that currently exports about 60% of its electricity.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has already voiced support, highlighting the potential boost for local natural gas producers. The proposed site lies just south of Cheyenne near the Colorado border, pending regulatory approvals. Officials anticipate moving forward quickly, with Mayor Patrick Collins noting developers aim to break ground as soon as possible.
This project underscores the growing tension between AI’s rapid advancement and the infrastructure required to sustain it. As data centers expand nationwide, their energy footprint is becoming impossible to ignore, especially in states like Wyoming, where resources are abundant but demand has historically been modest. The coming years will test whether energy systems can keep pace with the relentless growth of artificial intelligence.
(Source: Ars Technica)
