Data Center Development

Utah board approves Kevin O'Leary-backed Stratos data center project despite scrutiny

Kevin O'Leary promoted a 40,000-acre data center and gas power plant project called Wonder Valley (also known as Stratos) in Box Elder County, Utah, claiming it would become the world's largest data center with up to 9 gigawatts of on-site generation. The project moved forward through meetings with Gov. Spencer Cox and the Military Installation Development Authority in January, though county commissioners were not formally briefed until late March, after which their approval made MIDA the land use authority rather than the county.

theverge.com · 2026-10-01

Ofgem targets speculative data center projects clogging UK grid queue

The UK's grid connection queue is overwhelmed with speculative data center projects that are unlikely to ever be built, worsening wait times and complicating energy demand forecasts. Ofgem has proposed requiring developers to post large nonrefundable deposits, potentially reaching hundreds of millions of dollars for the biggest projects, and to demonstrate secured customers and funding before joining the queue. The plan is open for industry feedback until September before being finalized.

wired.com · 2026-08-27