Malaga datacenter project overview
Microsoft is developing a datacenter campus on Malaga-Alcoa Highway. The project is currently in the first phase of development. Construction of the first datacenter will begin in June 2023 and is expected to conclude in early 2026. Completion of construction does not indicate datacenter operation/availability. The timing of construction of the other two datacenter buildings will be driven by customer demand for Microsoft cloud services.
Malaga datacenter construction update
Microsoft will begin construction for the first phase of development of the Malaga datacenter in June 2023. The datacenter construction site is located on Malaga-Alcoa Highway in Malaga, Washington.
Why datacenters are needed
Datacenters provide the physical infrastructure for the technology we depend on at work and in our personal lives. Whenever you open an app on your phone, join a virtual classroom or meeting, snap and save photos, or play a game with your friends online, you are using a datacenter. Local businesses, government, hospitals, and schools rely on datacenters every day to deliver goods and services to you.
Construction timeline
Datacenter construction will begin in June 2023. The general contractor will begin clearing the site, which includes demolishing some existing buildings. From there, construction of the buildings is expected to commence in May 2024 and last through early 2026. Construction completion of the datacenter buildings does not indicate operability.
For this clearing phase of construction, work is expected to take place from Monday through Friday between 6:30 AM and 4:30 PM, with occasional work as needed on Saturdays during the same hours.
Together with our general contractor, we will take all the necessary considerations to ensure that the environment and community are disturbed as little as possible during the entire construction period. This will include using water trucks to mitigate dust.
We will keep neighbors informed in advance of construction work and perform work at less disruptive times when possible (after hours in industrial areas and during daytime hours in residential areas).
Staying connected
For more information about Microsoft’s work in Central Washington, visit the Microsoft in your community page.
For community-related questions, contact us at CentralWaDC@microsoft.com or leave a voicemail at 1-509-794-6526.
For PR-related questions, contact Microsoft Media Relations.
March 29, 2023 community info session recap
Microsoft hosted a community information session about the planned Malaga datacenter campus on March 29, 2023. The project is in the planning and permitting stage for the first phase of development, which will include one datacenter building, substation, water tanks, fencing, landscaping, and other support facilities.
The meeting opened with remarks from Lisa Karstetter, Community Manager for Microsoft; Ron Cridlebaugh, incoming Economic Director for Chelan County; Jim Kuntz, Chief Executive Officer for Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority; and Shawn Smith, Managing Director of Energy Resources for Chelan County PUD.
Microsoft appreciated the opportunity to talk with the more than 110 community members that participated in the meeting and visited stations to talk with subject matter experts. The meeting stations focused on an overview of datacenters, the current plan for the Malaga datacenter campus (for example, site plan, water, energy), next steps for permitting and construction, and Microsoft’s partnerships in the community.
In talking with community members, Microsoft, Chelan County PUD, and Malaga Water District heard comments and responded to questions about water, construction timeline, power for the site, traffic, jobs, and community investments.
If you were unable to attend the community info session, you can also view the boards shown at the meeting.
Join us on March 29 for an information session about the planned Microsoft Malaga datacenter campus
Datacenters provide the physical infrastructure for the technology we depend on at work and in our personal lives. Whenever you open an app on your phone, join a virtual classroom or meeting, snap and save photos, or play a game with your friends online, you are using a datacenter. Local businesses, government, hospitals, and schools rely on datacenters every day to deliver you goods and services.
During this information session, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the planned datacenter that will be located on Malaga-Alcoa highway, understand our commitments to the community, review conceptual plans of the Malaga campus, and ask questions relating to the project.
Event details:
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | Drop in between 6-8 p.m.
Mission View Elementary School gymnasium, 60 Terminal Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801
The event will be organized to accommodate English and Spanish.
For more information about Microsoft’s work in Central Washington, visit the Microsoft in your community page.
For community related questions, contact us at CentralWaDC@microsoft.com or leave a voicemail at 1-509-794-6526.
For PR-related questions contact Microsoft Media Relations.
