Nscale in Advanced Talks to Acquire Massive 8GW AI Data Center Campus in West Virginia
March 13, 2026
In a move that could significantly reshape the landscape for AI infrastructure in the United States, UK-based neocloud provider Nscale is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire the massive Monarch Compute Campus in West Virginia. The potential deal underscores the intense competition for large-scale, power-secure sites capable of supporting the next generation of artificial intelligence workloads, which require unprecedented amounts of energy and computing power.
According to a report by The Information, which cited sources familiar with the talks and accessed fundraising documents, Nscale is discussing the acquisition of American Intelligence & Power (AIP), the current owner of the property. The site, located in Mason County, is one of the largest available parcels for AI data center development in the nation and has already cleared key regulatory hurdles. Crucially, it has secured power equipment agreements for the initial phases, a major advantage in a market constrained by lengthy interconnection queues and power procurement challenges.
The Monarch Compute Campus is planned to eventually support up to 8 gigawatts of capacity, a colossal scale that highlights the industry's push towards mega-facilities. The first phase of the project is designed for 2GW, with an expected operational date by 2027. Caterpillar has been lined up to supply the fast-response natural gas generator sets required for this initial 2GW build-out. The property's development history traces back to 2023 when partner Fidelis New Energy first announced plans for a 1GW campus, later expanded into the current joint venture between Fidelis and 8090 Industries that formed AIP at the start of 2026.
While the financial terms of a potential acquisition remain undisclosed, the transaction would grant Nscale control of the land, all necessary permits, and power agreements. However, as the site is currently undeveloped, Nscale would face the substantial additional investment required to construct the data center facilities. The report also noted that other tech giants, including Amazon, Meta, and Fluidstack, have shown interest in the property, indicating its strategic value.
For Nscale, which recently completed a $2 billion Series C funding round to fuel its global expansion, this acquisition would represent a monumental leap in its North American footprint. The company currently operates facilities in the UK, Norway, and Texas. The potential deal aligns with its broader corporate ambitions, as Nscale is also reportedly exploring an initial public offering and has enlisted Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan to prepare for a possible listing.
Source: datacenterdynamics
