The Daily Dig:
Plans are moving forward for a 20MW off-grid data center in Santaquin, Utah. The Summit Ridge Data Center, proposed by Data Center Power Company, is designed to operate independently of the utility grid using on-site natural gas engines and a closed-loop cooling system.
The project was approved by the city in 2024, with the site plan approved last summer, and was recently discussed again during a public open house hosted by the City of Santaquin. Mayor Dan Olsen said the project has gone through 11 public meetings to date, with construction timing still not set.
Project Snapshot:
Owner / Developer: Data Center Power Company
General Contractor: Not disclosed
Sector: Data center
Capacity: 20MW+
Power Strategy: On-site natural gas engines (off-grid)
Cooling: Closed-loop cooling system
Location: 15372 S. Ridge Farms Road, Santaquin, Utah (Utah and Juab counties)
Timeline / Status: City-approved in 2024; site plan approved last summer; construction start not set
TheJobWalk Thoughts:
Off-grid data centers are a different animal entirely. When you're generating your own power on-site, the whole job flips on its head. Civil, environmental clearances, and electrical coordination become your critical path long before anyone's thinking about steel or concrete. The closed loop cooling system adds another layer of complexity to the MEP scope. If you're bidding work like this, understanding how gas fired generation affects everything from sequencing to inspections. This is what separates the sharp subs from the ones learning expensive lessons on the fly.
