Photo: Håkan Dahlström / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
The $165 billion AI data center campus in New Mexico is already generating tax revenue and employing thousands as construction barrels ahead
Oracle’s Project Jupiter, the company’s colossal AI data center build in New Mexico, is proceeding according to plan. A spokesperson confirmed the project remains “on-schedule” as of July 16, 2026, a notable milestone for what may be the single largest private infrastructure investment in American history.
The campus spans roughly 1,400 acres and carries a price tag of up to $165 billion.
Construction is already well underway #
Project Jupiter isn’t just a blueprint and a press release. More than 2,700 workers are already on site, and they’ve collectively logged over 2 million working hours. About 700 of those workers are local New Mexico residents, which matters for a state that has historically struggled to attract high-paying tech employment.
The project is expected to create more than 7,000 construction jobs during the build-out phase. Once operational, the campus will support around 1,500 ongoing positions.
Tax revenue is already flowing. The project has generated close to $80 million in tax receipts by late July 2026, even before the data centers are fully operational.
Oracle has also committed to funding 80% of a $50 million investment in local water infrastructure.
A power strategy pivot to fuel cells #
One of the more interesting developments in the Project Jupiter saga is Oracle’s decision to shift its power strategy. The company moved away from traditional natural gas turbines in favor of Bloom Energy’s solid oxide fuel-cell technology, with planned capacity of up to 2.45 gigawatts.
The pivot appears to be both pragmatic and strategic. Oracle has reportedly faced regulatory challenges related to a natural gas pipeline that would have been needed under the original power plan. Bloom Energy’s fuel cells sidestep that issue while also aligning with the broader corporate trend toward cleaner energy sourcing for data centers.
The AI infrastructure arms race continues #
Project Jupiter received its initial approvals in September 2025 and is planned to include four data centers across the campus.
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