Understanding Microsoft datacenters in West Valley

Datacenters are part of everyday life

Essential for modern technology, datacenters power everything from online grocery shopping, online banking, and remote work to scheduling medical appointments and staying connected with family and friends. Datacenters also support businesses, hospitals, schools, and governments.

Imagine a building packed with thousands of computer servers and data storage devices, all connected to the internet—that’s a datacenter, working tirelessly to keep our lives connected and efficient.

Datacenters enable innovation and enhance productivity in today’s digital age. Take a virtual step inside or learn more by visiting datacenters.microsoft.com.

What impact do datacenters have on the local economy?

According to research provided by the US Chamber of Commerce, local datacenter infrastructure supports and stimulates the development of datacenter and construction jobs, improves local infrastructure via tax revenue, and bolsters other technology companies that support these projects.

Learn key facts about Microsoft’s approach for building and operating datacenters in Arizona

We believe that companies that can do more, should. That’s why we remain focused on key areas in which technology can and must benefit the future of humanity and our planet.

Aligned with Microsoft’s global commitments, our datacenter community pledge is to build and operate digital infrastructure that addresses community challenges and creates local benefits where we operate and where our employees live and work.

We aim to…

• Contribute to a sustainable future
• Advance community prosperity and well-being
• Operate responsibly as a good neighbor

We will design and operate our datacenters to become carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030. Additionally, Microsoft pursues LEED Gold certification for newly built datacenters.

Energy

Microsoft has already invested in power purchase agreements (PPAs) to support the West Valley datacenter and will procure 100% renewable energy coverage globally by 2025.

Our datacenters use a renewable biofuel that reduces net carbon emissions compared to traditional petroleum-based diesel. Our cooling systems are highly efficient, using less electricity and a fraction of water used by other water-based cooling systems, such as cooling towers.

Watch this video to learn how Microsoft datacenters are helping pave the way for a sustainable future

Water

Microsoft is committed to being water positive by 2030. We continue to scale our efforts to reduce water use across our operations, while increasing procurement from alternative sources and investing in innovative replenishment and access projects.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation, in partnership with Microsoft and others, is engaged in the Lower Colorado River Resilience project to conserve water in Lake Mead and support water resilience in Arizona and the lower Colorado River Basin. The project brings together water leasing, habitat restoration, environmental flows, and private and public sector investment.

The newest Microsoft AI datacenters in the West Valley will use no water for cooling and will require minimal water for employee use. Read more about transforming datacenter water efficiency.

Watch this video about our other datacenters that use water for cooling.

Waste

Microsoft datacenters in Arizona and other locations renewed zero-waste certification through the UL’s Zero Waste to Landfill program.

We will deliver significant local, economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Jobs

By the end of 2026, we project 763 full-time employees and contractors will work across our operational facilities in Arizona.

Average datacenter job compensation was $148,000 a year in 2023 compared with $98,000 in the region.

Get to know some of the Microsoft datacenter employees in the West Valley

• Isa Hernandez

Skilling opportunities

• Build the skills to work at our Microsoft Phoenix datacenters
• Understanding Microsoft datacenter jobs in your community

Community investments in West Valley

• Since 2019, Microsoft has supported 93 projects with 60 partners in the Phoenix West Valley and has a total investment of over $3 million to date. Our largest partnership has been with Dysart Community Center (DCC) supporting several projects, including three Gener8tor Skills Accelerator programs providing rapid reskilling for high-demand jobs. We’ve also helped to bring high-speed internet, access to technology, and capacity building for the DCC kids’ programs.
• Microsoft datacenters provided $845 million total regional economic activity that supports local government services* from 2018 to 2023. *Regional economic activity refers to county gross domestic product (GDP).
• Greater Phoenix community investments

Watch this video to learn more about our approach to community investments.

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In all we do, Microsoft strives to be a responsible neighbor.

• We listen, learn, build relationships, and follow through on our commitments. Microsoft collaborates with nonprofits and suppliers who share our commitment to expand opportunities for all.
• And to be a good neighbor, we want to keep you in the loop. Visit our Greater Phoenix community blog to stay informed.