Summary:
- Applied Digital signs a $5 billion lease agreement with a U.S.-based investment-grade hyperscaler for its Polaris Forge 2 campus in North Dakota.
- The agreement secures 200 MW of dedicated IT load for advanced AI and HPC workloads, with potential for expansion to 1 GW.
- Applied Digital’s rapid growth and development model emphasize speed, sustainability, and regional optimization in building AI infrastructure.
Applied Digital has recently secured a groundbreaking lease agreement with a U.S.-based investment-grade hyperscaler for its Polaris Forge 2 campus near Harwood, North Dakota. Valued at approximately $5 billion over a 15-year term, the deal ensures 200 MW of dedicated IT load to support advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. Additionally, the hyperscaler holds a first right of refusal for an additional 800 MW, setting the stage for potential expansion to the full 1 GW capacity of the Polaris Forge 2 campus.
This latest lease agreement further solidifies Applied Digital’s position in the AI infrastructure industry, with a combined total of 600 MW now contracted across its two North Dakota campuses. The company’s Chairman and CEO, Wes Cummins, highlights the speed and efficiency of their development process, showcasing the ability to design, finance, and build large-scale data centers at an unprecedented pace. The Polaris Forge 2 campus is designed for high efficiency and sustainability, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact through features like liquid cooling systems and a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.18.
Applied Digital’s development model, aptly named "Different by Design," emphasizes speed, sustainability, and regional optimization in building AI infrastructure. The company’s strategic focus on the U.S. heartland leverages affordable energy, favorable climate conditions, and scalable land resources to support the expansion of AI computing capabilities. This commitment to responsible, rapid, and intelligent infrastructure development positions Applied Digital as a key player in reshaping the landscape of AI computing.
