Data Center Developer Seeks To Build 300K SF Facility Near Raleigh

A Virginia-based developer is aiming to bring a new 400-acre data center to North Carolina in a county southwest of downtown Raleigh.

PointOne Data Centers submitted an application to the Sanford/Lee County/Broadway Technical Review Committee to build a 90-megawatt center at 4079 Lower Moncure Road in Lee County, the Triangle Business Journal reported.

The first phase of the project would entail the build-out of the 300K SF facility. Construction would begin this fall, with completion in 2028, TBJ reported.

The proposed project would be a $900M investment, according to TBJ. Texas-based CyrusOne, a global data center developer, would own and operate the site. CyrusOne has built more than 60 data centers globally, including one near Research Triangle Park in Durham that it acquired in 2017. Since then, the company has sought to expand its presence in North Carolina. The state currently houses at least 93 data centers, according to Data Center Map.

Data centers have been a controversial issue in the Carolinas over the past year, with several counties and cities imposing moratoriums on new development. Earlier this week, the city of Charlotte approved a 150-day pause on new projects following public outcry. Lee County does not have a moratorium, but in April, it amended its Unified Development Ordinance to clarify where data centers can be located and what standards they must adhere to.

Data center opponents argue that data center development requires intensive water and power usage and can cause noise pollution and neighborhood displacement. In Raleigh, many residents say water usage is critical as the area faces extreme drought conditions.

But a PointeOne executive told TBJ its data center would use very little water due to its closed-loop cooling system. The executive said it would need an initial fill of 200K gallons and that other water usage for things like restrooms would utilize 1,100 gallons per day. 

If the review committee approves the plan, the next step would be applying for a building permit.