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Jacksonville’s Data Center Market on the Rise

Inside view of a data center in Jacksonville with servers

News Summary

Jacksonville’s data center market is on the verge of significant expansion driven by the rising demand for electricity fueled by AI and ML technologies. Operators seek up to 500 MW of power, reflecting a shift toward high-density computing. Currently, the city hosts eight data centers with a total capacity of 40 MW and is poised for further growth with projects like ‘Project Orchid’, which will enhance connectivity. This growth positions Jacksonville as a strategic hub in the data center landscape.

Jacksonville’s Data Center Market Set for Exciting Times!

Jacksonville is buzzing with anticipation as the city’s data center market stands at the brink of a significant expansion. With the surging demand for electric power driven by the ever-growing technologies of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), the focus has turned to how much power can actually be provided to support this digital explosion.

The Power Play

Data center operators are looking for a minimum of 100 megawatts of power, with aspirations to ramp that figure up to over 500 MW within the next three to five years. To put this in perspective, one megawatt can supply around 1,000 homes. This level of demand reflects a dramatic rise in the need for high-density computing, where power consumption has soared from about 5 kWh per rack to soaring numbers of 20-40 kWh per rack.

The Current Scene

As it stands, Jacksonville plays host to eight data centers that currently offer a combined critical power capacity of roughly 40 MW. These facilities are a blend of legacy enterprise sites, carrier hotels, and modern cable landing stations (CLS). Among these, you’ll find two vital cable landing stations: AMX-1, connecting to Brazil and Latin America, and PCCS, which connects to the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Project Orchid: A New Era

There’s more on the horizon with “Project Orchid,” a shiny new cable landing station that is being developed by DC Blox in Flagler Beach. This ambitious project aims to showcase up to six submarine fiber-optic cables on a sprawling 34-acre site acquired for $3.5 million. The strategic location near major interstates like I-95 and I-10 gives Jacksonville an edge in terms of connectivity that can’t be overlooked.

Jacksonville: The Gateway to Florida

Known as the “Gateway to Florida”, Jacksonville is growing rapidly, now the third most populous state in the USA. As data center operators increasingly prefer locations near large populations for low latency and better user experiences, Jacksonville’s dynamic location becomes more crucial. The term latency refers to the speed of data transmission, where lower numbers mean quicker processing times, equating to a better experience for users.

AI and ML Driving Demand

The rise of AI and ML technologies has been a game-changer, significantly increasing the demand for robust data center capabilities. With this surge, it is important that Jacksonville maintains a sufficient power supply to nurture potential growth in this thriving sector. Recently, Cologix, a prominent data center operator, expanded its operations in Columbus, Ohio, reflecting a broader trend of growth and expansion.

Shifts in the Landscape

In another sign of the changing times, SBA Communications has made waves by acquiring the JaxNAP carrier hotel in Jacksonville. This signals a strategic shift toward edge computing, with JaxNAP boasting a whopping 280,000 square feet and 14 megawatts of power. This facility also has the unique advantage of connecting to three different subsea cable systems, namely AMX-1, CONFLUENCE-1, and PCCS, giving it a rich network foundation.

Building for the Future

SBA’s vision includes developing a comprehensive edge computing network that will leverage its existing tower assets and the capabilities of JaxNAP. Plans are in place to establish distributed local sites designed for edge data centers, ensuring top-notch low-latency connectivity for users.

What Lies Ahead

As demand for data centers continues to surge alongside advancements in AI and cloud computing technologies, Jacksonville’s growth story seems promising. With a regional focus on connectivity and a burgeoning power infrastructure, Jacksonville is well on its way to becoming a leading hub in the data center scene. Exciting times indeed!