Cheyenne's Big Bet on AI: A Power Play with a Catch

Cheyenne, Wyoming, is poised to make a significant mark in the AI world. A new AI data center is coming to town, and it's set to consume a staggering amount of power—more electricity than all the homes in Wyoming combined.

Why Cheyenne?

• Cool weather and cheap electricity make it an ideal location.
• Wyoming is a major energy producer, exporting most of its output.
• The data center could start at 1.8 gigawatts, enough to power 1.8 million homes—but Wyoming only has about 590,000 people.

The Project

• A joint venture between Tallgrass and Crusoe.
• Plans to use both gas and renewable energy, a boon for Wyoming's gas industry.
• Governor Mark Gordon is thrilled, seeing it as a major economic boost.

The Catch

• Data centers consume massive amounts of energy, raising concerns about climate impact and potential hikes in electricity bills.
• The facility will be built south of Cheyenne, near the Colorado state line, with construction possibly starting soon.

OpenAI's Interest

• OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is scouting locations for its Stargate project.
• While Cheyenne isn't officially on OpenAI's list, the rapidly evolving AI landscape could change that.
• OpenAI is already expanding in Texas and beyond.

The Future

Wyoming may not yet be on OpenAI's radar, but the AI industry is growing fast. Cheyenne's new data center could be a game-changer, a big bet on the future.