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Crusoe sells troubled Wyoming data center project to Google

Space1 min read

Crusoe, a Denver data center developer, has sold an unfinished data center project in Wyoming to Google. Google is taking over the build after raising concerns about cost and timing.

What happened

Crusoe confirmed on Friday that it sold a half-built data center site in southeastern Wyoming to Google. Google had earlier tried to become a customer for the project, but it did not happen. Reports say Google worried about how much the project would cost and how long it would take under Crusoe's management. Google now leads the development. It did not say how much it paid.

Key numbers

  • Crusoe was recently valued at $30.9 billion.
  • Crusoe is eight years old and based in Denver.
  • The Wyoming site was planned to grow to 10 gigawatts of power capacity.
  • Google plans to invest $17 billion in the Wyoming data center campus.
  • Crusoe raised $3.9 billion in a funding round in September.

Background

A data center is a large building full of computers that run internet services and AI. Crusoe first announced the Wyoming project last year with Tallgrass, an infrastructure company backed by Blackstone. Crusoe makes money by renting out data center space, renting out its own graphics chips (GPUs), and selling computing power to run AI models. Its big customers include Oracle, OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, and the trading firm Jane Street.

Why it matters

The deal shows how hard it is for smaller developers to finish huge data centers on time and on budget. Getting enough computer chips and electricity is difficult. Local communities that oppose new projects can also cause delays. Google still works with Crusoe, too. Crusoe is building another data center for Google near Amarillo, Texas.

What to watch

  • How much Google spends to finish the Wyoming site.
  • When the Wyoming campus starts to run.
  • Whether Crusoe's Abilene campus for Microsoft comes online on schedule, with its first building expected in mid-2027.
  • Whether local opposition slows other Crusoe projects.

Glossary

Crusoe
A Denver company that builds data centers and rents out computing power for AI.
Google
A large technology company that buys data center space and builds its own for internet and AI services.
Tallgrass
An infrastructure company backed by Blackstone that worked with Crusoe on the Wyoming project.

Same story, different eyes

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