Story perspectives

OpenAI’s $25B Patagonia data center plan faces pilot demand

9/8/2026

Summary

Milei Pushes Data Centers

President Javier Milei is promoting mega data center projects in Patagonia.
OpenAI announced a $25 billion Patagonia data center plan with up to 500 MW capacity.
Investors want a 20-40 MW pilot before scaling, noting a 500 MW build would cost almost $900 million.
Widespread protests blocked a fire-management law reform that would have allowed burned land for data centers.
Milei proposed AI-driven crime prediction and expanded DNA registration, raising surveillance concerns.

Summary

Data Centers Environmental Toll

U.S. land purchases for data centers reached $6 billion in early 2026.
Legislators introduced 375 bills in 2024-2025 to curb AI data center construction.
Backup generators for Virginia data centers could cause 14,000 asthma cases and $300 million health costs annually.
A large data center can consume up to 5 million gallons of water daily, matching small towns.
Heat from data centers raises nearby land temperatures up to 9 °C, intensifying urban heat islands.

History

Historical Context

In 2008 Facebook opened a data center in Luleå, Sweden, marking its first major move toward renewable-energy-powered infrastructure after Greenpeace pressure over coal use. The effort foreshadowed Facebook’s 2021 pledge that all global operations run on 100 % renewable power, a goal first set in 2018. Today President Javier Milei’s Patagonia AI hub echoes that model, prompting similar protests and legislative scrutiny.

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Milei Pushes Data Centers

President Javier Milei is promoting mega data center projects in Patagonia.
OpenAI announced a $25 billion Patagonia data center plan with up to 500 MW capacity.
Investors want a 20-40 MW pilot before scaling, noting a 500 MW build would cost almost $900 million.
Widespread protests blocked a fire-management law reform that would have allowed burned land for data centers.
Milei proposed AI-driven crime prediction and expanded DNA registration, raising surveillance concerns.

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