OpenAI, Oracle & Vantage: Sustainable AI Data Centres

A partnership between OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage Data Centers is developing a major data centre campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

Part of the Stargate expansion, the project will see four hyperscale data centres built with an investment of over US$15bn.

The Lighthouse campus is a commitment to sustainable digital infrastructure, using green energy and water-positive operations.

By its 2028 completion, the campus will provide nearly a gigawatt of AI capacity.

Scott Lauber, President and CEO of WEC Energy Group, explains: “By working with Vantage, we’re delivering new clean energy for the Lighthouse campus and generating lasting benefits for Wisconsin. 

“Together with Vantage, we are adding nearly two gigawatts of new energy to the grid, 30% of which will be dedicated to the homes, farms and other businesses we serve today. 

“This unique and thoughtful strategy will deliver growth without raising rates for our other customers, aligning with our shared commitment to reliability, sustainability and a positive community impact.” 

Powering AI with green energy partnerships

The campus' environmental design prioritises local resources and clean energy growth.

Vantage Data Centers is enabling new zero-emission energy generation in Wisconsin through solar, wind and battery storage

Of this new power, 70% is allocated to the campus, with the remaining 30% for the wider Wisconsin consumer base.

To ensure 100% zero-emission operations, any non-renewable energy use will be matched with annual renewable energy purchases.

This energy strategy is supported by a partnership with We Energies, WEC Energy Group’s utility.

They are co-developing nearly two gigawatts of new energy infrastructure for the region.

Scott Lauber, President and CEO of WEC Energy Group, explains this will deliver new clean energy for the campus and generate lasting benefits for Wisconsin without raising rates for other customers.

Sustainable operations and environmental stewardship

The data centre is also focused on water efficiency, using a closed-loop liquid cooling system to reduce water consumption and improve energy savings.

Vantage is also investing in local restoration projects to ensure the campus is water-positive, restoring more water to freshwater sources than it consumes

Mayor Ted Neitzke IV of Port Washington says: “The benefits of welcoming data centres to Port Washington are undeniable. Vantage’s once in a generation investment will create thousands of high-paying jobs – including more than 4,000 union-led construction and operational roles – driving long-term economic ripple effects across the region."

He adds: “This investment will allow us to further strengthen public services and community development, enhancing the quality of life for our residents. We are proud to establish this partnership with Vantage and look forward to working closely with their team to progress this development while improving our city.”

Biodiversity is another core component of the campus design. Of the total 672 acres, 500 are being developed, while the surrounding natural environment is preserved.

This work includes planting more than 2,000 native trees, creating a planted berm for sound mitigation and protecting existing wetlands.

Vantage is also pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable building best practices.

Dana Adams, President of North America at Vantage Data Centers highlights that this investment reinforces Vantage’s role as a responsible neighbour.

“As demand for data centres expands beyond traditional hubs, the upper Midwest has become a critical and strategic market for Vantage Data Centers and our customers,” she says.

She adds: “Our investment in Wisconsin reflects the area’s strong foundation for digital growth to support sustainable AI innovation at scale. Vantage is committed to being a good neighbour and is prioritising investing in sustainable energy, minimising local impact and partnering closely with the community to be an economic driver for the state.”

Fostering economic growth through tech investment

The Lighthouse project is expected to bring considerable socio-economic benefits to Port Washington.

The construction phase is projected to create more than 4,000 skilled union jobs.

Peter Hoeschele, OpenAI’s Vice President of Industrial Compute, comments: “Expanding Stargate to Wisconsin is another major step toward building the infrastructure that will help ensure everyone can benefit from AI."

He adds: "This project will create good jobs, advance zero-emission energy and boost the local economy—all while expanding capacity without raising rates for local consumers. We’re grateful to our partners at Oracle, Vantage and We Energies, as well as the many manufacturers, builders and suppliers across the region, for helping bring this ambitious vision to life.”

Once operational, Vantage and Oracle will generate more than 1,000 long-term jobs, plus numerous indirect employment opportunities.

Mayor Ted Neitzke IV of Port Washington highlights the "undeniable" benefits of the project.

He notes the investment will create thousands of high-paying jobs, generate long-term economic effects and allow the city to strengthen public services.

Oracle is also expanding its cloud capacity rapidly to meet AI demand. Mahesh Thiagarajan, Executive Vice President of Software Development at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, says: “We’re pleased to work with Vantage Data Centers as we continue to rapidly expand our cloud capacity to meet the growing demand for AI."

He adds: “Oracle’s highly performant, secure and cost-effective AI infrastructure is fueling a new era of innovation that will fortify American leadership in AI worldwide.”

The campus is projected to contribute an estimated US$2.7bn to the regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Vantage is also committing at least US$175m to critical infrastructure upgrades, including water treatment facilities and the power grid.

Dana Adams, President of North America at Vantage Data Centers, emphasises the upper Midwest has become a critical and strategic market.

OpenAI’s Vice President of Industrial Compute, Peter Hoeschele, commented that expanding Stargate to Wisconsin is a major step toward building infrastructure to benefit everyone from AI.

Oracle is also expanding its cloud capacity to meet AI demand.

Mahesh Thiagarajan, Executive Vice President at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, states its AI infrastructure is "fuelling a new era of innovation".

This collaboration could serve as a model for how large-scale data centres can integrate green energy and sustainability into their core operations.