Amazon Web Services (Amazon) plans to invest another US$ 6 billion in its northwest Louisiana data center project, increasing the company’s total planned investment in the region to US$ 18 billion. The expansion includes a third data center campus at Resilient Technology Park in Shreveport while the other facilities are located across Caddo and Bossier parishes which are intended to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads.
According to a press release, the campuses are being designed to rely primarily on air cooling and water would be used for cooling when temperatures rise above about 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which it expects to occur less than 13 percent of the year in the region. The announcement comes less than six months after Amazon announced an initial US$ 12 billion investment in the region in February and the additional campus expands its planned data center footprint in northwest Louisiana.
Keith Klein, Director of Data Center Supply Solutions, Amazon, said, “When we announced our investment in northwest Louisiana earlier this year, we made a promise: Amazon pays its own way, and the communities where we operate will be better off because we’re there. Increasing our planned investment to US$ 18 billion means more good jobs for the region and more opportunities for local businesses. We’re continuing to protect ratepayers and strengthening this community for the long term.”
Jeff Landry, Louisiana Governor, said, “Amazon’s decision to increase its investment in Louisiana so quickly sends a clear message about what they have experienced here. When one of the world’s largest companies chooses to deepen its commitment this early, it demonstrates confidence in our workers, our business environment and our ability to execute. Amazon came to our state with an ambitious vision, and Louisiana has shown we can deliver at the scale and speed that vision demands.”
Amazon will continue to work with its construction partner STACK Infrastructure, a hyperscale data center, colocation facilities, and digital infrastructure developer, to develop the campuses. Amazon is also working with Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), on energy infrastructure and grid upgrades, that will fund the infrastructure needed to serve Amazon’s data centers requirements such as advances in power, cooling and hardware design, including systems that deliver 12 percent more compute power and cooling technology to reduce mechanical energy consumption by 46 percent.
Matt VanderZanden, CEO, STACK Americas, said, “As STACK continues to expand our presence in Northwest Louisiana, our commitment goes beyond what we build. It reflects the long-term relationships we establish with the communities where we operate. We are proud to continue our partnership with Amazon and work alongside state and local leaders to create opportunities for local businesses and workers, invest in infrastructure that supports continued growth, and deliver lasting value for years to come.”
Brett Mattison, President and COO, SWEPCO, said, “We’re ready to serve and ready to deliver the reliable energy our communities need to support new investment while protecting existing customers from the costs of that growth. This latest milestone reflects the continued momentum we’re seeing in northwest Louisiana and the opportunities it brings for jobs, economic development and long-term community benefits.
Justyn Dixon, President and CEO, North Louisiana Economic Partnership, said, “An US$ 18 billion commitment puts into perspective the scale of what is taking shape in Northwest Louisiana, the jobs, construction activity and opportunities for local companies will reach well beyond these three campuses.”
The latest project adds to Amazon’s broader Louisiana operations, which have included more than US$ 6 billion in investment since 2010. Its state footprint includes fulfillment and sortation centers, delivery stations, Whole Foods Market locations and solar energy investments.