Microsoft Fairwater AI data center campus (Mount Pleasant)
Also called: Fairwater, Fairwater 1, Microsoft Mount Pleasant data center
Microsoft's first Fairwater AI data center in Mount Pleasant cost about $3.3 billion and started running in 2026. Microsoft has called it one of the world's most powerful AI data centers. Some neighbors have sued over noise from cooling equipment and generators.
Where things stand: The first building opened in 2026. A second phase is being built next to it.
🕒 Latest update (July 1, 2026): Three nearby Sturtevant residents filed a federal class action lawsuit against Microsoft over noise from the data center.
What we know
- 📍 WhereWest of I-94 in the village of Mount Pleasant, on land that was once planned for Foxconn, Mount Pleasant, Racine County
- 🏢 CompanyMicrosoft
- 🏛️ Owned byMicrosoft
- 👤 Built forMicrosoft
- 🌳 Size315 acres
- 💵 Cost$3.3 billion
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- How much electricity does the Fairwater data center use at full power? 🙋 I'll find out
- How many diesel backup generators are on the site? 🙋 I'll find out
- How much water does the site use each day? 🙋 I'll find out
- What happened with the noise lawsuit filed in July 2026? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Sept 2025Microsoft said it would spend $4 billion more on a second, similar data center in the area, on top of the $3.3 billion first phase.
- April 2026Microsoft said the Fairwater data center was going live ahead of schedule.
- April 2026Neighbors north of the site reported a humming noise. Microsoft said cooling fans running at high speed during start-up caused it and made changes.
- July 1, 2026Three nearby Sturtevant residents filed a federal class action lawsuit against Microsoft over noise from the data center.
Local votes and rules
⚖️ Court case
Three nearby residents filed a federal class action lawsuit against Microsoft over humming noise from its new Mount Pleasant data center. Microsoft said cooling fans at start-up caused the noise and it made changes.
✅ Approved
Mount Pleasant's Village Board unanimously approved plans for 15 more Microsoft data center buildings, with almost 9 million square feet and three new substations.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Microsoft's $3.3B Fairwater AI Data Center Goes Live Ahead of Schedule in Wisconsin · The Energy Mag · April 20, 2026
- Residents sue Microsoft over noise from new Mount Pleasant data center · Urban Milwaukee / Wisconsin Public Radio · July 3, 2026
- Data Centers Power Wisconsin Construction Boom Despite Public Backlash · Urban Milwaukee / Wisconsin Public Radio · Sept 30, 2026
- At least four Wisconsin communities signed secrecy deals for data centers · Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / Wisconsin Watch · Feb 1, 2026
See something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.