Build cost — $/MW capex
How much does it cost to build an AI data center? Model facility, land and utility works (default ~$11.8M/MW, Epoch AI 2026, part of its ~$38B-per-GW program; JLL's 2026 global shell-and-core average is $11.3M/MW excluding land), network and cluster infrastructure excluding servers (~$4.9M/MW), an explicit project-priced facility premium, and a regional multiplier, giving program capex and $/W excluding servers.
Build cost — capex per megawatt
Benchmarks: JLL global-average shell/core ≈ $11.3M/MW (50 MW single-tenant, air-cooled; liquid +10%); Epoch's 1 GW model runs facility+land+utility ~$11.8M/MW and network ~$4.9M/MW, with servers ~$21.2M/MW on top → ~$38B/GW up-front. Electrical dominates the facility split → Ch 2.5, Ch 1.8.
Scope & how the benchmarks reconcile
This models construction-period capex excluding the server fleet. The benchmarks, reconciled on Epoch AI's May-2026 1 GW model: $11.3M/MW is JLL's global-average shell-and-core (air-cooled, 50 MW single-tenant; liquid cooling adds ~10%); Epoch's facility + land + utility works line is ~$11.8M/MW and its network and cluster infrastructure ~$4.9M/MW; servers — GPUs included — add ~$21.2M/MW, which is how a 1 GW campus reaches ~$38B up-front. Electrical systems are 45–70% of construction cost (as of 2026 → register). The server fleet is deliberately outside this calculator — the TCO model owns it, and adding it here would double-count.
Worked decision — stated assumptions
All ledger inputs are assumed teaching values chosen to exercise this chapter’s method; they are not market quotes, OEM performance claims or operating records. Arithmetic uses the full entered precision.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| IT capacity | 10 MW |
| Facility, land & utility works | 10 $M/MW |
| Network & cluster infra (excl. servers) | 4 $M/MW |
| Project-priced facility premium | 20 % |
| Regional multiplier | 1.1 × |
Illustrative capital scope: assume 10 MW of usable IT capacity, facility/land/utility works at $10 million per MW, network infrastructure at $4 million per MW, a quoted 20% facility premium and a 1.10 regional factor. Facility cost is 10 × 10 × 1.20 × 1.10 = $132 million. Network cost is 10 × 4 × 1.10 = $44 million. The total is $176 million, or $17.60 per IT watt, excluding servers.
An illustrative $180 million allowance for those same two scopes passes with $4 million remaining. Raising only the facility premium to 25% raises the total to $181.5 million and fails. The topology drawing and supplier scope establish the premium; the reliability requirement buttons do not price it. Add the server purchase once in the shared program capital model.
The facility-premium crossover is 23.6%: (180 − 44) / (10 × 10 × 1.10) − 1. Above it, reduce scope or raise the same-scope capital allowance.
Guide derivation. Method and handoff: Chapter 2.5 — Project Finance & Capital Formation (Mechanics).
These are transparent screening estimates, not final designs, financial advice, or project approvals. Replace every default with current project data and have the responsible project authorities validate the result. You can save, share a permalink, or export to CSV; see the full calculator suite.