Data centers are a natural fit with the low operating costs, lower capital costs, great electrical reliability, and favorable business climate of Northeast and Central Wisconsin.
Lower capital costs
- A 250,000-square-foot data center would cost roughly 21% less to build in the Northeast and Central Wisconsin region than in Chicago, and 12% less than in Minneapolis, according to a study commissioned by WPS and conducted by BLS and Company.
- WPS provides the option for the utility to own and operate the substation required to operate at sub-transmission and transmission levels. This option permits a user to convert this cost from a capital to operating expense.
- Transmission extension, if needed, is generally at no cost due the addition of electric load.
Lower operating costs
- Electric rates in the WPS region are currently 19% less expensive than those in Minneapolis.
- Our temperate climate means 7,243 free cooling hours per year. This will have a high impact on your bottom line, since between 40% and 60% of energy costs of most data centers are spent on cooling.
Secure and reliable fiber optic connections
- Numerous long haul and interconnected fiber networks and dark fiber providers, along with a variety of telecommunications providers, ensures carrier neutrality: any carrier can easily connect to in-place networks or partner with several local ILECs (incumbent local exchange carriers) or CLECs (competitive local exchange carriers) to build custom connectivity.
- Wisconsin is home to 85 ILECs and 169 CLECs.
- Additionally, MERIT networks (Michigan) was awarded over $69 million to provide a 10 Gbps network to Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas and other interconnecting points between Green Bay's fiber network.
- Long haul providers on this route include Level 3 (Global Crossing), XO Communications, Paetec (Windstream); CenturyLink (Quest), AT&T, Verizon Business, US Signal and Earthlink Business. (Source: BLS and Company Fiber Report)
Low risk of natural disasters
- Wisconsin is consistently ranked as one of the lowest risk states in the nation for natural disasters, making siting your project here a safer bet.
Favorable operating conditions and business environment
- Public Service Commission of Wisconsin policy permits utility construction projects up to $10 million without state approval.
