Beale Infrastructure Group, developer of the proposed Project Blue data center development in southeast Tucson, is considering two more potential data center projects in the area.
That possibility is in the early stages of consideration, according to various sources. One of the potential locations is in Tucson, possibly adjacent to the currently proposed project site. The other is in the Marana area.
Earlier this year, AZBEX was the first outlet to report on a broader area specific plan for 290 acres west of Houghton Road. That plan was eventually revealed to be Beale’s Project Blue. (AZBEX, April 30)
Project Blue will feature up to 10 data halls. Project representatives have confirmed Beale is exploring the potential for other sites in the area but have declined to comment further until the primary project advances.
Project Blue won several important approvals from the Pima County Board of Supervisors in June, including a purchase agreement for the property and zoning approvals for the intended use. Tucson City Council is scheduled to vote on annexing the site in August.
A key point of contention for Project Blue and other data centers has been concern about the amount of electricity and water the developments consume when operational. To offset some of those worries, Beale will pay construction of an 18-mile reclaimed water line to pump reclaimed, treated wastewater to the data center site.
Additional details about the currently proposed project’s water use, and the possibility of additional sites, have raised concerns among environmentalists and some officials. Project Blue will need to use potable water for the first two-to-three years of operations while the pipeline is being constructed.
Environmentalist and Tucson Water Advisory Committee member Ed Hendel said the reclaimed water will be blended with treated water from an old Superfund site to create so-called “renewable” water for the data center. Beale officials have said that water will undergo additional treatment.
No timeline has been released for when Project Blue may switch from drinkable water to reclaimed water. That information is expected when Beale and Tucson officials enter into a formal development agreement, which will be produced before Council votes on annexation. (Source)