Microsoft plans to bring a Fairwater AI data center online in early 2026 at the former Foxconn site in Wisconsin. The company calls it the “world’s most powerful” AI data center. It will reuse empty buildings from Foxconn’s failed LCD project.
Scale, GPUs, and timeline
The campus spans 1.2 million square feet across three buildings on 315 acres. Satya Nadella said it holds “hundreds of thousands” of Nvidia GB200 GPUs. He also said they are “connected by enough fiber to circle the Earth 4.5 times.”
Microsoft claims the interconnected GPU cluster is ten-times more powerful than the fastest super computer. The company says the site will speed up its AI training efforts. It also says multiple other Fairwater datacenters are under construction across the US.
According to The Verge, Microsoft announced the plan and the 2026 target. The Verge notes the $3.3 billion construction is at Foxconn’s abandoned factory location.
From Foxconn’s project to Microsoft’s build
The Foxconn LCD factory was announced in 2017. By the end of 2018 it was already called a “boondoggle.” Microsoft will now use the vacant space for its AI data center.
Cooling and sustainability focus
Microsoft is promoting an environmentally friendly design. It uses a closed loop cooling system that fills once and then seals. The company says this eliminates evaporation and cuts water waste.
Microsoft’s vice chair and president focused on sustainability when announcing the project. The attention comes as AI draws scrutiny for energy consumption. The Verge linked to Microsoft posts that detail the design and goals.
The company refers to the facility as Fairwater. It positions the site as a key asset for its AI roadmap. The center’s large GPU count and fiber network reflect that pitch.
Microsoft says this cluster will help train models faster. It also signals a broader buildout with more Fairwater sites. The Wisconsin location marks a major reuse of dormant industrial land.
The Verge highlights Microsoft’s claims about power and efficiency. It also points to the site’s history and cost. The announcement sets expectations for early 2026 activation.
