Utah is building a data center 2x bigger than Manhattan that will consume more electricity than the entire state combined

A gigantic new AI data center approved in Utah is set to become one of the largest tech projects on Earth.

The enormous development, known as Project Stratos, will reportedly cover more than 40,000 acres, making it roughly twice the size of Manhattan.

Even more shocking is the amount of electricity it could use, with estimates suggesting the facility may eventually consume more power than the entire state of Utah currently uses.

The huge project has sparked major debate online as people question the environmental impact of powering AI at such an enormous scale.

Utah has a giant data center project that will be bigger than entire cities

This immense tech project, Project Stratos, was approved for construction in Box Elder County, Utah, and is being backed by investor and Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary.

The development is expected to house massive AI data center infrastructure designed to support the growing demand for artificial intelligence computing power.

The facility could eventually require up to 9GW of electricity to operate at full capacity, which is reportedly more electricity than Utah currently consumes statewide.

Developers plan to power the facility using natural gas turbines connected to the Ruby Pipeline, allowing most of it to operate independently from the main electrical grid.

Supporters of the project say facilities like this are becoming increasingly important as AI companies compete to build larger and more powerful systems.

O’Leary reportedly described the project as essential infrastructure for keeping the US competitive in the global AI space race.

Environmental concerns are already causing backlash

Despite the excitement surrounding the project, thousands of local residents and environmental groups have raised concerns about its potential impact.

Critics say the giant facility could strain Utah’s environment, particularly around the nearby Great Salt Lake region, which has already faced years of environmental pressure.

Others are worried about pollution, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions linked to the facility’s planned natural gas power system.

Some experts have also warned the huge amount of waste heat generated by the servers could create significant local environmental effects.

The controversy surrounding the project has reportedly become so intense that campaigners are now pushing for a chance to challenge the approval process.

As AI infrastructure grows larger around the world, Project Stratos could become one of the clearest examples yet of just how much energy future artificial intelligence systems may require.