Permit hurdles push up costs for AI data centers; Oracle pivoted from gas turbines to costlier fuel cells for its Project Jupiter in NM, costing billions more (Ann Davis Vaughan/The Information)
Oracle’s power workaround for Project Jupiter added billions to the bill.
Techmeme’s note says permit hurdles pushed Oracle away from gas turbines and toward more expensive fuel cells for its proposed $165 billion AI supercampus in New Mexico. The shift was described as an attempt to salvage the project, but at a much higher cost. The item frames the episode as a sign that building large AI data centers can mean paying more than planned when power and permitting collide. Techmeme’s note
Techmeme’s note says permit hurdles pushed Oracle away from gas turbines and toward more expensive fuel cells for its proposed $165 billion AI supercampus in New Mexico. The shift was described as an attempt to salvage the project, but at a much higher cost. The item frames the episode as a sign that building large AI data centers can mean paying more than planned when power and permitting collide. Techmeme’s note
score 6