Caterpillar, in partnership with Joule Capital Partners and dealer Wheeler Machinery, will take part in building a massive data center campus in Millard County, Utah. Known as the High Performance Compute Data Center Campus, the facility will be one of the most powerful in the United States and a key infrastructure hub for high-performance computing and artificial intelligence.

A New Standard in Autonomous Power Supply

Spanning 4,000 acres, the campus will feature an energy system capable of generating 4 gigawatts of power using Combined Cooling, Heat and Power (CCHP) technology. The project will utilize Caterpillar G3520K gas generator sets along with an integrated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 1.1 gigawatt-hours.

This configuration will allow the facility to operate independently from public utility grids, ensuring uninterrupted power supply. The system will also capture and reuse waste heat for server cooling — a critical factor for AI-driven data centers handling resource-intensive workloads.

Quotes and Comments

“This project represents the core of Joule’s mission — to deliver AI-ready compute capacity by pairing world-class data center campuses with reliable, on-demand power” — David Gray, President of Joule Capital Partners.

“Speed to market — no waiting on public utilities — is what makes our project stand out” — Joule Capital Partners materials.

Technical Details

At the heart of the power complex are Caterpillar G3520K generator sets, each capable of producing up to 2.5 MW. These units have a proven track record as a reliable source of prime power in industrial and infrastructure projects worldwide.

The integrated grid-forming BESS will ensure stable voltage and frequency even in full islanded mode. Advanced digital controllers will manage the entire system, while auxiliary equipment — including switchgear, inverters, and cooling systems — will also be supplied by Caterpillar.

Economic and Market Impact

The contract has already had a positive impact on Caterpillar’s (NYSE: CAT) share price, strengthening its position in the prime power supply market for data centers.

Bernstein maintained a “Market Perform” rating with a target price of $447, JPMorgan raised its forecast to $520, and BofA Securities set its target at $495, citing strong prospects for distributed energy and autonomous generation solutions.

Project Outlook

The first phase of the campus could go live as early as next year, following the necessary permitting approvals. Full-scale construction of the complete infrastructure is planned for 2026.

Utah was chosen for its central location, access to long-haul fiber routes, low electricity costs, and availability of water-cooling capacity. As a result, the facility is set to become the largest data center in the state’s history and a benchmark for similar projects across the United States.