A single data center complex in Utah plans to consume twice the electricity of the entire state. Kevin O’Leary’s “Wonder Valley” project—yes, the Shark Tank guy—received provisional approval for 9 gigawatts of on-site power generation, dwarfing Utah’s current 4-gigawatt statewide demand. The Military Installation Development Authority green-lit the 41,200-acre Box Elder County campus in April, though county commissioners still need to vote. O’Leary’s pitch? Generate power independently to fuel America’s AI infrastructure race against China.
Following Trump’s Playbook for Tech Independence
O’Leary frames the massive power grab as national security necessity.
“This is what it takes to compete with the Chinese,” O’Leary told officials, citing Trump administration directives for tech firms to generate their own AI power. The project promises 2,000 permanent jobs and hefty tax incentives—energy taxes drop from 6% to 0.5%, plus an 80% property tax waiver. Phase 1 targets 3 gigawatts via natural gas plants connected to the Ruby Pipeline, potentially generating $30 million annual county revenue. Full buildout could reach $108 million yearly.
Bypassing the Grid Entirely
Self-generated power sidesteps concerns about overwhelming electrical infrastructure.
MIDA’s Paul Morris emphasized the campus “will not take one electron” from Utah’s grid—potentially even returning surplus power. AI data centers consume 8-10 times more electricity than traditional facilities, making grid dependence increasingly problematic. While competitors like the Joule project face scrutiny over emissions, O’Leary’s team promises closed-loop cooling systems that use less water than previous ranching operations.
AI’s Infrastructure Reality Check
Utah joins a nationwide buildout targeting 75 gigawatts by 2028.
Beyond the numbers, this isn’t isolated ambition—it’s infrastructure math. The U.S. plans 75 gigawatts of AI capacity by 2028, with Utah already hosting 48 data centers totaling 920 megawatts. O’Leary’s parallel Alberta site would add another 6 gigawatts, creating a 15-gigawatt cross-border operation. Your Netflix habits seem quaint compared to training the next generation of AI models.
The broader implications extend beyond Utah’s borders. The county vote will determine whether Utah becomes ground zero for off-grid AI chips infrastructure—or if rural concerns about industrialization prevail over O’Leary’s ambitious timeline.
