Veolia has been selected by a major project developer to operate and maintain a 350-megawatt microgrid to power an AI data center campus.
"This contract builds on Veolia's Data Center Resource 360 offer launched earlier this year, helping data centers operate reliably while reducing energy, water and waste impacts and strengthening community resilience and environmental security," it said in late July.
The energy project will provide 100% of the power for an AI data center campus in Ohio without relying on the traditional electric grid.
"As demand for AI infrastructure accelerates, the project illustrates a more responsible approach to powering data centers, reducing demand on constrained electric grids and preserving capacity for local communities," Veolia said.
"By combining on-site generation with large-scale battery storage, the microgrid delivers reliable, resilient power while reducing pressure on already constrained public electricity networks and preserving grid capacity for local communities. It also enables developers to accelerate speed-to-power without waiting years for traditional grid interconnection," it said.
The microgrid in Ohio will integrate gas engines, linear generators, battery energy storage systems and medium-voltage infrastructure into a coordinated energy platform supporting continuous AI operations.
Veolia will oversee operations integration, commissioning support and long-term plant operations under a performance-based model designed to maximize uptime, asset performance and operational accountability.
Veolia was brought into the project before commercial operations to support startup readiness, operating procedure development and coordination among multiple contractors and original equipment manufacturers operating under compressed construction timelines.
The facility will also require a dedicated 24/7 on-site workforce, highlighting how AI infrastructure growth is creating demand for highly skilled energy operators even as automation expands across the broader economy, it said.
Key project metrics include:
• 350 MW generation capacity
• 430 MWh battery energy storage system
• 99.9% availability target
• 35-40 full-time on-site personnel
