Power approval set to delay Oracle's Wisconsin AI datacenter

Oracle's planned AI datacenter in Wisconsin, dubbed Project Lighthouse, may miss its target start date of 2027 due to regulatory delays in securing transmission infrastructure approval. Research firm Aterio warns that the project risks falling behind Oracle's planned delivery of capacity to customers in the second half of 2027. Oracle has sent a force majeure notice to a Blue Owl Capital subsidiary working on Project Jupiter in New Mexico, indicating a potential shift in payment arrangements if the New Mexico project lags.

Oracle maintains that the Wisconsin project remains on schedule, but Aterio notes that regulatory uncertainty and Oracle's financial situation could lead to delays. The project in Wisconsin, rated for 902 MW of computing load and 1.3 GW of total electricity demand, requires approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for its grid connection.

PSC delays have forced the commission to reopen the case after initially withdrawing approval. Aterio estimates partial power could arrive in October 2027, with full power supply possible by August 2028, though these dates are considered unlikely. Full power delivery could be pushed to June 2028 or April 2029. Even partial power by December 2027 would limit testing and commissioning before Oracle's deadline.