The municipality operates under a legally binding "Net-Zero 2030" mandate. However, the sheer volume of 24/7 firm power required by the 1.5 GW AI facilities exceeds the physical generation capacity of available renewables.
| Generation Source | Available Capacity | Firmness (Reliability) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar + Battery Storage | 400 MW | Low (4-hour duration) | Active |
| Onshore Wind | 250 MW | Variable | Active |
| Advanced Nuclear / SMR Pilot | 150 MW | High (24/7) | Proposed; not available before 2028+ |
| Legacy Coal Plant (Retiring '26) | 600 MW | High (24/7) | Scheduled Decommission |
| Natural Gas Peaker 1 & 2 | 800 MW | High (24/7) | Scheduled Decommission |
To meet the 1.5 GW load today, grid operators must keep the legacy coal plant and both natural gas peaker plants online indefinitely. This will trigger a massive carbon spike, directly violating the city's climate legislation.
Tech companies often claim they use "100% renewable energy" by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). However, annual REC or out-of-state PPA matching does not guarantee that the local facility is served by clean power hour by hour. Without local or deliverable firm clean supply, the added 24/7 load can increase reliance on fossil generation on the regional grid. Environmental groups would have grounds to seek injunctions to block construction.