Oracle and OpenAI's 2.5GW New Mexico Data Center Faces Water Scarcity Concerns

Executive Briefing

• Covers 1,400 acres in drought-stricken Doña Ana County with $165 billion in projected investment
• Switches from water-intensive gas turbines to fuel cells, reducing usage to 11 million gallons in closed-loop systems
• New Mexico faces 25% less water availability within 50 years, with groundwater already at historic lows
• Pledges $360 million for schools, $50 million for water utility upgrades in an economically distressed county
• Raises national tensions as data centers drive 50% of U.S. electricity demand growth amid widespread local opposition