Serverfarm, a prominent North American data center operator, is planning to convert a 97-acre warehouse site in Covington, Georgia, into a new data center. This facility is set to be powered primarily by natural gas, a notable step as the company prepares to meet the energy demands of future clients in the region.
Local Government Approves Land Annexation for Data Center Development
In early January 2025, Covington city council approved the annexation of a warehouse property on Hazelbrand Road into the city’s jurisdiction, clearing the way for Serverfarm’s development. This site, currently home to a 498,960-square-foot distribution facility, will undergo a significant transformation. The annexation ensures that the land can bypass restrictions that otherwise limit data center construction to specific areas, such as Stanton Springs in Newton County.
The annexation received approval after a 5-1 vote, following a recommendation from the Covington Planning Commission. With this step, Serverfarm can proceed with the necessary modifications to convert the warehouse into a modern data center that can meet the demands of the rapidly expanding digital infrastructure sector.
Natural Gas-Powered Facility to Serve as Primary Energy Source
Serverfarm’s plans for the new facility include a natural gas-powered data center, with natural gas serving as the primary power source for the initial years of operation. According to Josh Volk, a representative of Serverfarm, the facility will use as much gas as is available through existing pipelines. However, upgrades to the infrastructure will be required to accommodate the data center’s energy needs.
The facility is expected to rely on natural gas until Georgia Power develops a substation to support the site, which could take several years. Initially, this energy strategy will be in place for up to three years, allowing Serverfarm to meet its power demands while Georgia Power works on a long-term solution.
Covington’s Strategic Location for Data Center Development
Covington, situated 40 miles east of Atlanta, is rapidly becoming a hotspot for major tech companies and data center operations. Meta’s Georgia data center campus, which broke ground in 2018, is located in the area, and Amazon has also acquired land nearby. Serverfarm’s move to establish a new facility in Covington reflects the growing demand for robust data infrastructure in the region, particularly as cloud computing, edge computing, and digital services continue to expand.
Serverfarm’s Expansion in Georgia
Serverfarm, which operates several data centers across North America, already has a significant presence in the Atlanta metro area. The company’s Suwanee location, a 14MW facility, was acquired in 2017 from AMD. With the new Covington data center, Serverfarm aims to strengthen its position in the Georgia market, serving both existing and potential clients looking for reliable, scalable, and sustainable data center solutions.
The company has already identified four potential customers for the new Covington facility, signaling strong interest from industry leaders in the area’s growing data center ecosystem.
FAQ Section
1. What is the primary energy source for Serverfarm’s new data center?
Serverfarm’s new data center in Covington, Georgia, will primarily use natural gas as its energy source until Georgia Power can establish a substation to serve the site. This arrangement is expected to last up to three years.
2. Why did the Covington city council approve the annexation?
The annexation of the property allows Serverfarm to bypass restrictions imposed by Newton County, which limits data center development to specific areas like Stanton Springs. The move paves the way for the data center project to proceed under the city’s jurisdiction.
3. How large is the proposed data center facility in Covington?
The site for the new data center spans 97 acres and includes a 498,960-square-foot warehouse, which will be repurposed for the data center’s operations.
4. What companies have shown interest in the new facility?
Serverfarm has identified four potential customers for its new Covington data center, all of which are major players in the technology sector.
5. When is the data center expected to begin operation?
While specific timelines for the data center’s completion have not been announced, the project will begin after the necessary infrastructure upgrades, including gas pipeline modifications and eventual power supply from Georgia Power.
