Mohave County to Require Data Centers to Provide Power and Water

By BEX Staff for AZBEX

The Mohave County Board of Supervisors has approved changes to County zoning ordinances and will now require proposed data centers to provide their own electricity and water.

In July, the County joined other jurisdictions around the state seeking to restrict data center development. In Mohave’s case, the Board enacted changes that removed data centers from the list of desired businesses under the County’s economic development goals. (AZBEX; June 10, June 18, July 23)

Under the newly approved ordinance, “…to reduce the demand on local grids and water resources, Mohave County will require data centers to utilize advanced technologies and internalize their energy and water needs to mitigate their environmental impact and lessen the strain on County services…”

Data centers will be required to secure a Special Use Permit to develop in areas zoned for airport use or for light, general or heavy manufacturing. There are currently no large-scale data centers in the county. Pegasus Group Holdings had proposed a $3B project called The Hive Data Center and Solar Plant south of Kingman in 2019 but withdrew the plans in 2021. Another data center project is currently being planned near the airport and has filed a preliminary site plan, according to statements given during the hearing and research by BEX staff.

The Mohave County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended the ordinance for approval last month.

According to a local news report, “Officials say they want to get ahead of future development by clearly defining data centers in county code and setting standards for environmental responsibility.”