The project, anticipated to be completed in 2024, will repurpose the former 50-acre United Airlines headquarters and operations centre that was vacated in 2007

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ComEd and CloudHQ break ground on $2.5bn hyperscale data centre in Illinois. (Credits: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)

US-based electric utility Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) and global data centre provider CloudHQ have broken ground on a new $2.5bn hyperscale data centre in the US state of Illinois.

The project, which has secured local approvals from the Village of Mount Prospect is said to start construction by repurposing the former 50-acre United Airlines headquarters and operations centre that was vacated in 2007.

It is said to be the eighth new data centre to open within the service area of ComEd, which includes northern Illinois.

ComEd claims to provide a new onsite substation and technology investments along with extending the high voltage lines to assist CloudHQ in meeting the rising demand for data centre services supporting the digital economy.

Furthermore, ComEd will install new 100MVA transformers at the site, which have a higher capacity to support the demands of the data centre sector while reducing the amount of on-site electrical equipment.

ComEd CEO Gil Quinones said: “ComEd is thrilled to support the launch of one of the largest data centers ever seen in our state, as part of our ongoing work to power growth by Illinois companies who continue to bring jobs and investment into the communities we are proud to serve.”

“Companies like CloudHQ continue to look to northern Illinois and our service territory thanks to the unparalleled access to clean, affordable and reliable power that is essential for meeting the demands of today’s economy.”

The first phase of the new data centre project planned for Illinois is anticipated to be completed in 2024, with the construction of the two additional buildings depending on demand over the following three to five years.

The project expects to support the region’s expanding business technology needs along with creating hundreds of new permanent jobs, including technical positions needed for data centre maintenance and construction.

CloudHQ expects to develop the hyperscale data centre which comprises the three-building campus, aligning to a LEED standard highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable development.

CloudHQ COO Keith Harney said: “CloudHQ is excited to be bringing this hyperscale development to the Village of Mount Prospect. The location, scale and speed to market of our ORD Campus reinforces all we strive to achieve, as partners to our customers.

“The demand we see for this location is already extremely encouraging, and will be supported by a new dedicated on-site ComEd substation that will allow us to scale to power future customer demand.”