WILLISTON — What is expected to rank as perhaps the most extensive project of its kind in the world is under construction just west of here.
Governor Doug Burgum made the official announcement this week during a press conference held at the Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative building. The panel of speakers included Kevin Washington, Missoula, Mont., president of Atlas Power. Washington told the gathering that his plan would “create the largest cryptocurrency company in the world.”
“I believe firmly that digital currency is the most important innovation in the last 15 years."Kevin Washington, president of Atlas Power
“That I am standing here today makes that a real possibility,” said Washington. “I believe firmly that digital currency is the most important innovation in the last 15 years. Atlas Power is 100% committed to this project and here to stay.”
The first phase of the project consists of 16 buildings, each 350 feet long, housing several thousand servers that will “conduct high-performance computing.” Phases two and three will triple the size of the initial construction.
“This is significant,” Burgum said. “We’ve got energy. We’ve got support. We’ve got a good tax environment. When this power data center is completed, it is going to be one of the largest single location data centers in the world, a major investment.”
The data center is a $1.9 billion dollar endeavor that has caught the attention of many, including Mayor Howard Klug.
“We’re collecting sales tax on the material that is being used to build a billion dollars' worth of things,” stated Klug. “You can see I’m smiling, and my eyes are lighting up. When the governor talks about $30 billion dollars in investments coming to North Dakota, they are talking at least $10 billion of that here in northwest North Dakota.”
"When the governor talks about $30 billion dollars in investments coming to North Dakota, they are talking at least $10 billion of that here in northwest North Dakota.” Howard Klug, Mayor of Williston
The biggest reason for Williston being chosen for the massive investment is the availability of electricity, lots of it. Phase One will require 240 megawatts. When all the buildings and servers come online the requirement leaps to 700 megawatts.
“That’s what the Milton Young Power Plant produces. This one site uses that,” remarked Burgum.
Dale Haugen, Mountrail-Williams general manager, said, “We’re in the business of selling energy, and we're lucky enough to have the resources, a 345,000 volt line that Basin Electric built in our area to serve the oil companies. We built that with ample capacity for growth.”
Haugen was instrumental in securing a user for assets that he said, “were just sitting there.” To put the $1.9 billion investment in perspective, Haugen noted that the city’s recently completed new airport came with a $300 million price tag.
"This potential load will double this co-op within the next two years."Dale Haugen, Mountrail-Williams general manager
“This potential load will double this co-op within the next two years,” stated Haugen. “That puts into perspective how much energy we are talking about using for high processing computers.”
Williston's climate was also a consideration for the data center project. Servers create heat and require extensive cooling to perform properly. The specialized buildings are designed to maximize air flow, and North Dakota’s yearly average temperatures offer a distinct advantage to the cooling process.
“We’re building on the tremendous success of our facility in Butte, Montana and this facility will significantly grow our operation,” stated Washington.
Drawing approximately 700 megawatts when complete, the Williston project will completely dwarf the 75-megawatt data center in Butte.
“It’s a win, win, win all the way around with job creation, the economy, diversification, everything, and this project is not dependent on the price of oil.” Gov. Doug Burgum
“It’s great for the community, great for the state, and great for power generation,” said Burgum. “It’s a win, win, win all the way around with job creation, the economy, diversification, everything, and this project is not dependent on the price of oil.”
“Every box checks on this one,” said Richard Tabish, president and CEO of FX Solutions, the company charged with design and construction. “We understand the climate, the work ethic in Williston, and we’re really, really happy to be here. We’ll get this up and running very quickly.”
Tabish said the Phase One portion of the project is expected to be completed by mid-April of this year and has a goal of completing the entire project in early 2023.
Construction is expected to involve about 100 workers for the approximate two-year timetable. When completed, about 30 permanent employees will be needed at the data center.
