Hometown Source Press & News reports…

The Albertville City Council reviewed a concept for a data center and approved a 7.49% preliminary tax levy increase for 2027 at a meeting on Sept. 8.

City Planner TJ Hofer presented the council with a concept for a data center from Nodiac Oakwood. A concept review allows for a city council to give feedback on an item without making a formal decision.

Hofer said Nodiac proposed to construct a modular data center at the intersection of 70th Street and Karment Avenue northeast, immediately adjacent to a Wright-Hennepin electrical substation. The data center would be located on a newly-created 3.66-acre parcel on a larger lot.

Hofer said that Nodiac’s data center would not be considered a “hyperscale” data center.

More details on the proposed building…

Nordic’s proposal included 20 “modular data center” modules, 10 electrical transformers, 30 concrete equipment pads for cooling units and other equipment, parking and security fencing.

The building would not be permanent, but “factory built enclosures on concrete pads or similar foundations,” per the narrative. Nodiac estimated that the site would operate for 30 years or more.

Hofer said Nodiac would not use municipal water or sewer and it would truck in its own water and propylene glycol mixture that had a five to eight year cycle. Nodiac would then truck the old water to a wastewater facility.

Nodiac believes 20 megawatts of energy will power the center, and did not detail the impact that would have to local electrical users. While dependent on usage and other factors, one megawatt generally can power 400-900 homes, according to a worksheet published by U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission via energy research group UtiliPoint.

Worth noting…

The City Council did not take any formal action on the concept review.

But…

The next Albertville City Council meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at Albertville City Hall.