TCO of a 1 GW AI data center
~$38B upfront capex, ~$8.5B/yr all-in (~$0.9B/yr opex)observed
| Value kind | observed — Reported measurements, counts, and specifications keep the precision and scope stated by their source; an exact specification is not treated as a range. |
|---|---|
| Scope | {"category":"Economics","scenario":"bottom-up model, costs annualized over asset lifespans"} |
| Caveat | Model-dependent; servers ~60% of cost; excludes financing. Updated 2026-05-14. |
| As of | 2026 |
| Source | Epoch AI |
| Review | checking…review by 2026-09-10 · fast cadence |
| Recorded changes | last 2026-06-29 |
| Claim id | tco-of-a-1-gw-ai-data-center |
Where the guide uses it
Not quoted in a chapter yet; it is kept in the curated register.
← Full numbers register — every date-stamped figure in the guide, with revision history.