CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – Governor Patrick Morrisey congratulated Nscale following reports that Anthropic has agreed to spend approximately $45 billion over six years for artificial intelligence computing capacity at Nscale’s flagship West Virginia data center campus, a major development that demonstrates the impact of the state’s strategy to compete for investment and jobs in the rapidly growing AI economy.
“The reported $45 billion agreement for computing capacity at Nscale’s West Virginia campus is an extraordinary vote of confidence in our state and the strategy we put in place,” said Governor Morrisey. “We knew artificial intelligence would require extraordinary amounts of computing power, reliable energy and private investment, and we knew West Virginia had the resources to meet that demand. I also want to recognize the terrific work of State Senator Glenn Jefferies, who has been aggressively marketing West Virginia so we can land these big assets.”
According to Bloomberg, the agreement represents approximately 460 megawatts of computing capacity, with Nscale deploying NVIDIA’s next-generation Vera Rubin technology to support Anthropic’s growing AI computing requirements.
Governor Morrisey championed efforts to provide regulatory and siting certainty for developments involving billions of dollars in private capital and hundreds of megawatts of power.
The legislation he signed also includes protections designed to prevent the infrastructure costs associated with these developments from being shifted onto existing residential and business ratepayers. Under the law, 50 percent of revenue generated through the state’s microgrid framework is dedicated to reducing and ultimately eliminating the state income tax, with additional revenue directed to host counties, communities across West Virginia and infrastructure improvements.
“West Virginia has powered America for generations, and now we have an opportunity to power the AI revolution,” said Governor Morrisey. “With our abundant energy reserves, available land, and skilled workforce, we are committed to moving at the speed of business while ensuring West Virginians directly benefit from the growth.”
The state’s strategy extends beyond attracting individual data centers. Governor Morrisey’s 50 by 50 energy strategy seeks to expand West Virginia’s power generation capacity to 50 gigawatts by 2050, providing the reliable energy needed to support artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and other rapidly growing industries.
“This is bigger than one project,” said Governor Morrisey. “We are building an ecosystem where energy production, artificial intelligence, advanced computing and manufacturing can grow together. We said West Virginia intended to compete at the highest level for the industries of the future. Today, the world is seeing what that means.”
