NAS LEMOORE, Calif. — A major new infrastructure project is being planned at Naval Air Station Lemoore that could reshape how Kings County fits into the future of technology, energy, and national defense.

Ameresco and the U.S. Navy have announced a partnership to develop a 100-megawatt AI-optimized data center and onsite energy system at NAS Lemoore, with a projected completion timeline of 2027. The facility is designed to support mission-critical operations, bringing advanced computing power and energy resilience directly onto the base.

While the announcement highlights innovation and national security, it also raises important local questions about water usage, energy demand, and long-term regional impact.

A Different Kind of Data Center

This is not a typical commercial server facility.

The project is being designed specifically for artificial intelligence workloads, which require significantly more computing power, cooling, and reliability than traditional data centers. To support that demand, the facility will include onsite energy infrastructure, allowing it to operate with greater independence from the public power grid.

This type of setup, often referred to as a microgrid-supported data center, is becoming more common as both government and private sectors race to expand AI capabilities while maintaining operational security.

At NAS Lemoore, that means the base is evolving beyond aviation into a more advanced role that includes digital infrastructure and AI-driven operations.

Why NAS Lemoore Matters

Naval Air Station Lemoore is already one of the Navy’s most important installations, serving as a primary base for F/A-18 aircraft operations and employing thousands across the region.

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Adding a project of this scale positions the base as part of a broader national effort to strengthen secure, domestic computing infrastructure tied to defense operations.

It also signals that Kings County is being drawn into the rapidly expanding AI and data economy, an industry that has traditionally been concentrated in larger metropolitan areas.

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Energy Demand at a Massive Scale

A 100-megawatt data center is considered large by industry standards.

To put that into perspective, a facility of this size can consume enough electricity to power tens of thousands of homes. That level of demand is one of the reasons modern data centers are now being paired with dedicated energy systems to ensure reliability and reduce strain on public utilities.

While details about the exact energy sources for the NAS Lemoore project have not been fully disclosed, the inclusion of onsite infrastructure suggests a focus on resilience, redundancy, and continuous operation, all of which are critical for military applications.

Water Usage: A Key Unknown

One of the biggest unanswered questions is how much water the facility will use.

Cooling systems are essential for data centers, especially those handling AI workloads, which generate significant heat. Industry estimates show that a 100-megawatt data center can use anywhere from hundreds of thousands to several million gallons of water per day, depending on the cooling technology.

In more traditional systems that rely on evaporative cooling, usage can reach:

• Around 1 million gallons per day on the lower end
• Up to 3 to 5 million gallons per day in hotter climates

That range is particularly relevant for Kings County, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees, increasing the need for cooling efficiency.

More advanced systems, such as air-cooled or hybrid designs, can reduce water consumption, but they often come with higher energy costs or are not yet widely adopted at scale.

At this stage, officials have not publicly confirmed which cooling method will be used at NAS Lemoore.

Local Impact and Economic Potential

The project could bring several benefits to the region, including:

• Construction jobs leading up to completion
• Long-term technical and maintenance positions
• Increased investment in local infrastructure

However, large-scale projects like this also bring trade-offs, particularly in regions where water and energy resources are already closely managed.

For a county rooted in agriculture, questions about resource allocation are likely to become part of the broader conversation as more details emerge.

Part of a Bigger National Shift

The NAS Lemoore project aligns with a larger federal push to:

• Expand U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence
• Strengthen domestic infrastructure
• Secure sensitive data operations
• Reduce reliance on foreign technology systems

Across the country, similar projects are being developed to meet the growing demand for AI processing power and secure data environments, making facilities like this a critical component of future national strategy.

What Comes Next

With a target completion date of 2027, more details are expected to be released over time, including specifics on:

• Water sourcing and usage
• Energy generation methods
• Environmental considerations
• Operational scope

For now, the announcement marks a significant development not just for NAS Lemoore, but for the broader Central Valley.

The Bigger Question

As Kings County becomes part of the nation’s expanding AI infrastructure network, the conversation may quickly shift from what is being built to how it will impact the community around it.

Is this the beginning of the Central Valley becoming a hub for advanced technology, or will local resources be pushed to their limits trying to support it?

We want to hear from you. Share your thoughts in the comments below.