Stratos AI Data Center Project

approved

The Stratos project is a proposed massive AI and hyperscale data center campus on approximately 40,000 acres in remote areas of Box Elder County, Utah, including Hansel Valley. The project is led by O’Leary Digital and Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary. It was approved by the Box Elder County Commission on May 4, 2026, and advanced through the state’s Military Installation Development Authority. The development could require up to 9 gigawatts of power, roughly double Utah’s current statewide peak demand. Supporters highlight economic benefits including thousands of construction jobs, more than 2,000 permanent positions, and projected tax revenue exceeding $100 million annually for Box Elder County. The project is designed with on-site natural gas generation to avoid straining the existing electricity grid and claims to use non-potable water with advanced recycling. However, opponents raise concerns about environmental impacts, water and energy use, lack of transparency, and the fast approval process.