CleanArc Data Centers

CleanArc Data Centers is a developer and operator of hyperscale data center campuses that integrates renewable energy solutions from the outset. The company was established in January 2023 by James Trout, an industry veteran with substantial experience from leadership roles at Vantage Data Centers, Digital Realty Trust, and CoreSite. Trout's background in pioneering digital infrastructure and leading major data center enterprises informs CleanArc's strategy of bridging clean energy with best-in-class data center facilities.

The firm's business model centers on acquiring large land parcels, typically 500 acres or more, in strategic locations to develop data center campuses with 300-600 MW of capacity. This provides hyperscale clients, such as major cloud and AI companies, with the necessary runway for extensive growth. CleanArc differentiates itself by treating renewable energy sourcing as a core component of its development process, rather than an afterthought. The company issues requests for proposals (RFPs) to renewable energy developers to source wind, solar, and other clean energy sources to offset power consumption on its campuses. This approach, which they term "True Additionality™," aims to deliver hourly, load-following carbon-free energy, ensuring new clean energy is added to the grid to meet clients' sustainability goals.

To accelerate deployment, CleanArc utilizes a "data center production" method, leveraging off-site manufacturing for mechanical and electrical components, which are then rapidly assembled on-site. This can reduce building delivery times by 15 to 25 percent. The company also offers a range of operational support models, from minimal assistance to full turnkey campus management. CleanArc has secured strategic investments from 547 Energy (backed by Quantum Energy Partners), Snowhawk LP, Townsend Group, and Nuveen to fund its growth and the development of its inaugural campus in Virginia, which is planned to deliver 300 MW of capacity by the first quarter of 2027.

Keywords: hyperscale data centers, renewable energy, data center development, sustainability, clean energy structuring, James Trout, hyperscalers, data center production, off-site manufacturing, turnkey data center solutions, green power, Virginia data center, power purchase agreements, digital infrastructure, cloud computing, AI infrastructure, carbon-free energy, energy transition, data center campuses, sustainable infrastructure