Quantica commits further to self-funded power for data center near Broadview

Quantica Infrastructure reaffirmed Thursday a “pay our own way” approach to powering its planned 5,100-acre data center campus north of Billings.

In a press release, Quantica pledged to cover the costs of electricity infrastructure and any new generation needed to serve its project amid concerns around how NorthWestern Energy might profit off data centers by pass the costs to Montana ratepayers.

“We're paying our own way for power, without increasing Montanans’ electricity bills for our project,” Quantica Infrastructure CEO John Chesser said in a statement. “We’ll pay the cost of electricity infrastructure and any new power generation needed to serve our project. We’ll continue working with utilities and regulators to ensure the project is responsibly reviewed, permitted and aligned with the community’s priorities.”

The data center, contingent on attaining a customer, plans to rely on a mix of their own behind-the-meter wind and solar assets obtained years ago in addition to power from NorthWestern Energy.

Chesser said they are pursuing an all-of-the-above power portfolio, including traditional energy resources, in addition to battery energy storage. He also noted the "evaluation of emerging energy technologies" to power the data center.

Montana Environmental Information Center director Anne Hedges considered the press release to be a "change in their tune" from what Quantica has relayed to the public in its initial messaging.

"They used to say it would all be renewable energy and storage — the lowest cost energy sources today," Hedges said. "Now they are saying traditional energy which means coal and gas. Those resources impose a huge impact on the state of Montana and across the globe, including climate change, air pollution and water pollution."

She added that the emerging technologies reference mentioned in the press release are a "modern day euphemism for nuclear power." Chesser was previously involved in the reported first nuclear-powered data center in the U.S.

In a response about the referenced emerging energy technologies, Quantica stated: "We are evaluating tools that can make the project more reliable and lower‑carbon over time, including advanced long‑duration storage, grid‑optimization technologies, and other lower‑carbon firm resources. Finally, we appreciate the opportunity to clarify, as many Montanans have concerns and expect these discussions to be honest and straightforward, not clouded with speculation and exaggeration, as some opponents of responsible development are prone to."

NorthWestern has agreed to provide up to 1,000 megawatts to the data center, though initial deployment is planned to be 500 megawatts. Where exactly that power will come from hasn’t been shared publicly. At the start of this year, NorthWestern acquired a 375 megawatt share of Colstrip it will sell power from on the market.

The press release echoes a sentiment shared by Quantica’s leaders months ago about a desire for the company to pay its fair share.

However, the CEO’s statement comes amid a hearing held by the Public Service Commission over a planned merger of NorthWestern and Black Hills Energy. NorthWestern CEO Brian Bird has publicly stated that the merger will give the monopoly utility “better opportunities” around data centers.

Opponents have used that focus on data centers to assess that the merger’s approval would lead to higher costs by facilitating and encouraging further data center development down the line, potentially leading to infrastructure costs shouldered by ratepayers.

The statement also arrives during grassroots animus against data centers. A Gallup poll released Wednesday found 71% of Americans oppose local construction of data centers.

Quantica's press release posted online only mentions the word “data center” once in a description of Big Sky Digital Infrastructure, which plans to build the project.

Chesser has previously stated that they expect to begin leveling ground and placing roads this year. In 2027, the company expects to lay the foundations of some buildings. And by 2028, the company expects to begin drawing power for its data center.

Quantica still hasn't obtained a customer, but the company said it continues to see "strong interest in Montana."