200-acre “Project Azalea” Data Center Approved Near Augusta, Georgia

Local authorities have approved the 200-acre ‘Project Azalea’ data center in McDuffie County, Georgia. Commissioners backed the project in a 4–1 vote; officials estimate it will be worth $1 billion and generate about $25 million in annual local tax revenue.

 The project will include six data center buildings at 2660–2358 Randall Hunt Road in Thomson, with a planned 400MW power supply from Georgia utility Jefferson Energy. 

But “sufficient energy supply is not available to serve this project,” according to a report written by the Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission, a planning agency.

“Studies are ongoing with GA Power, Georgia Transmission Corporation, and the EMC to determine what upgrades are necessary,” it added.

The project, which was also recommended for approval by the county’s Planning Commission earlier this month, could be completed by 2029, according to a January filing.

It is linked to Project Turbo LLC, which previously proposed a now-withdrawn 145-acre data center in Gainesville, Hall County, in the Atlanta area.