Monarch Compute Campus (Nscale) north of Point Pleasant
Also called: Monarch AI data center campus, Mountaineer GigaSystem (original 2023 plan), AIPCorp Monarch
A huge AI data center campus on about 2,380 acres north of Point Pleasant, powered by its own gas generators instead of the power grid. Microsoft and Anthropic have signed deals to use it. Construction runoff has flooded nearby homes more than once, and the state ordered stormwater repairs. Under the 2025 state law HB 2014, certified projects do not have to follow county or city zoning, noise and similar local rules.
Where things stand: State-certified high impact data center. Site work started in 2026; first phase expected to run in the second half of 2027.
🕒 Latest update (Sept 3, 2026): The governor said the campus holds a state high impact data center certification, with about 2 gigawatts and $69.2 billion in client investment.
What we know
- 📍 WhereJust north of Point Pleasant along state Route 62, near the county fairgrounds and University Lane, Unincorporated Mason County, Mason County
- 🏢 CompanyNscale (bought American Intelligence & Power Corp., sponsored by Fidelis New Energy and 8090 Industries)
- 🏛️ Owned byNscale
- 👤 Built forMicrosoft (1.35 GW agreement) and Anthropic (reported $45 billion computing deal)
- 🌳 Size2,380 acres
- ⚡ Power it needs2,000 megawatts (about as much as 1,600,000 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromIts own off-grid gas power (microgrid): about 2 gigawatts in the first phase, possibly up to 8 gigawatts later. Not connected to the public grid.
- 🗼 New power linesNo
- ❄️ Coolingclosed-loop cooling
- 💸 Tax breaksIn 2023 the state approved up to $62.5 million in forgivable loans for the original Fidelis project.
- 👷 Jobs promised645
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Where exactly is the campus boundary (parcel numbers)? 🙋 I'll find out
- How much water will it use per day, and from which water system? 🙋 I'll find out
- How many gas generators and diesel backup generators will be on site? 🙋 I'll find out
- What air permits has the state DEP issued for the power plant? 🙋 I'll find out
- Were any secret deals (NDAs) signed with the county? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Aug 2023State economic development officials approved the original Fidelis hydrogen and data center project, with up to $62.5 million in forgivable loans.
- March 16, 2026Nscale said it was buying the project developer, AIPCorp. Microsoft signed an agreement for 1.35 gigawatts of computing power at the campus.
- May 23, 2026Heavy rain broke a silt pond at the construction site and flooded homes in a nearby neighborhood. The company said it would pay for repairs.
- July 2026After more flooding, the state DEP ordered the company to repair and strengthen the site's stormwater system.
- July 28, 2026Residents pressed the Mason County Commission about flooding and low water pressure. Commissioners said state law limits what they can do.
- Aug 27, 2026The governor said Anthropic agreed to spend about $45 billion over six years on computing at the campus (first reported by Bloomberg).
- Sept 3, 2026The governor said the campus holds a state high impact data center certification, with about 2 gigawatts and $69.2 billion in client investment.
Local votes and rules
📌 Other
After residents pushed for a response about the Monarch data center near Point Pleasant, the county commission sent state lawmakers a letter asking to change HB 2014. It asks that counties get a say on where data centers can go, and that the host county's view count heavily in the state's site score.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- AI data center aims for 2027 launch, 700+ permanent jobs · WSAZ · April 7, 2026
- W.Va. officials praise latest changing of hands of Fidelis Mason County data center project · Weirton Daily Times · March 18, 2026
- Mason County residents press commissioners on new data center · WSAZ · July 29, 2026
- West Virginia data center lands reported $45 billion AI agreement, Morrisey says · WDTV · Aug 27, 2026
- Governor Morrisey announces more than $81 billion in new investment at West Virginia Business Summit · Office of the Governor of West Virginia · Sept 3, 2026
- Second certified data center announced for Mason County · West Virginia Public Broadcasting · Sept 3, 2026
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