New Data Center Being Considered in Calcasieu Parish

Lake Charles, Louisiana - Could Southwest Louisiana be getting a new data center? A Missouri-based renewable energy company is exploring the possibility of building a data center in the Southwest Louisiana area. We're breaking down everything you should know...

According to a report from the Acadiana Advocate and KPLC-TV, Azimuth Renewables has an option to purchase about 1,100 acres of wooded property along Coffey Road in Calcasieu Parish. The company says it is still in the early stages of looking at the site and has not made a final decision on whether the project will move forward.

Azimuth Renewables has an option to purchase about 1,100 acres of wooded property along Coffey Road. Company president David Bunge confirmed the site is being considered for a possible data center, but said the project is still in the early stages.

Many details are still unknown, including who would operate the facility, how large it could be, how much power it would need, and how many jobs it could create.

According to the reports, several hurdles remain. The property is currently zoned agricultural, and no zoning or variance request has been submitted to Calcasieu Parish. The parish also does not currently have an ordinance specifically allowing data centers in unincorporated areas.

The proposed site is next to a planned 4,700-acre solar farm known as the Persimmon Energy Center.

Azimuth says the two projects are not connected and that the solar farm would not determine whether the data center moves forward.

Moss Bluff Residents Are Concerned

KPLC-TV interviewed a few residents, and some residents and local officials have raised concerns about the possible impact on the rural Moss Bluff community, including noise, traffic, water use, power needs, and property values.

Azimuth says it plans to meet with the community later in the process if the project moves forward.

For now, there is no data center under construction. Azimuth is simply evaluating the site and determining whether a project could work there.

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