OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage Forge Green Energy Partnership

OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage Data Centers have jointly announced plans to develop a state-of-the-art data centre campus outside Milwaukee in Port Washington, Wisconsin. 

The project, part of the Stargate expansion partnership, will feature four hyperscale data centres delivering nearly a gigawatt of AI capacity when completed in 2028. 

With an investment exceeding US$15bn, this ambitious campus embodies a leading-edge commitment to sustainable digital infrastructure through comprehensive green energy partnerships, water-positive operations and biodiversity initiatives.

Green energy partnerships drive sustainable power

The Lighthouse campus showcases a forward-thinking environmental design aimed at preserving local resources and supporting clean energy growth.

Vantage Data Centers is enabling new zero-emission energy generation in Wisconsin, utilising solar, wind and battery storage technologies. 70% of the generated renewable power capacity is allocated directly to Lighthouse, while 30% benefits the wider Wisconsin consumer base. 

Any energy consumed by the campus from non-renewable sources will be matched with renewable energy purchases annually, achieving a full 100% zero-emission powered operation.

This integrated energy strategy is supported by a partnership with WEC Energy Group’s utility We Energies, which is co-developing nearly two gigawatts of new energy infrastructure for the region. 

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.” 

This guarantees electricity rate stability, shielding other customers from price increases resulting from infrastructure investments.

Water positive cooling and resource management

The data centre is also pioneering water efficiency with a closed-loop liquid cooling system that minimises water consumption and drives energy savings. 

To go beyond minimising its water footprint, Vantage is investing in local restoration projects to ensure the campus is water-positive – restoring more water back to freshwater sources than it consumes. This is critical for sustainable operations in a region sensitive to water resource management.

Biodiversity and environmental stewardship

Biodiversity is another core element of the Lighthouse design. Out of a total 672 acres, Vantage is developing 500 acres for the data centres while preserving and enhancing the surrounding natural environment. 

This includes planting over 2,000 native trees and other indigenous landscaping, creating an eight-foot planted berm for sound mitigation, and protecting existing wetlands. These measures contribute to a net gain in biodiversity, aligning with broader ecological stewardship goals.

Additionally, Vantage is pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the Lighthouse campus, reinforcing its commitment to global best practices in sustainable building. This certification underlines the environmental rigor embedded in the design, construction and operational phases of the campus.

Economic and community impact

The Lighthouse project will also bring significant socio-economic benefits to Port Washington and the surrounding region. 

Construction is expected to create over 4,000 skilled union jobs, and, upon completion, Vantage and Oracle together will generate more than 1,000 long-term jobs alongside numerous indirect employment opportunities. This includes many roles with women-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned businesses, broadening the economic impact across local communities.

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.

“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.”

The campus is projected to contribute an estimated US$2.7bn to the regional GDP, enhancing public services and infrastructure as part of a comprehensive development plan. 

Vantage is committing at least US$175m to critical upgrades, including expanding water and wastewater treatment facilities, upgrading water mains and sewer lines, building a new water tower and enhancing power infrastructure. These improvements are designed not only to serve Lighthouse but also to meet the growing needs of Port Washington’s wider population. 

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.

“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.”

Industry collaboration and future growth

The project demonstrates the increasing importance of green energy partnerships between digital infrastructure providers, energy utilities and local governments. By coordinating investments and commitments to renewables, energy efficiency and environmental restoration, the Lighthouse campus provides a replicable model for sustainable data centre development at scale.

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.

"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.”

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.

“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.”

Through this collaboration, Vantage anchors its position in the growing upper Midwest market, consolidating a digital infrastructure hub that supports the rapid expansion of AI technologies. Together with the Texas-based Frontier campus and its broader investments exceeding US$40bn, Vantage is delivering next-generation digital facilities with a focus on sustainability and operational excellence.

The Lighthouse campus in Port Washington stands as a flagship example of how large-scale data centres can integrate green energy partnerships and sustainability into their core operational model – driving technological advancement, economic growth and environmental stewardship in tandem. This approach aligns with evolving industry standards and increasing demands for responsible data centre development worldwide.