Nautilus is well-known for its data centre barge in California, which uses river water to cool the facility's servers, and it will now replicate that technology in Maine, US at a new facility located at an old disused paper mill.
The Millinocket, Maine rural area is designated as a Qualified Opportunity Zone with tax benefits, with the 13 acre site set to house a 60MW Nautilus data centre.
Millinocket is the former home of the Great Northern Paper Company (pictured), which began producing paper in 1902 and at its peak was the world’s largest newsprint producer. Nautilus will be the first tenant on the site of the former mill since it closed in 2008.
Nautilus will use its patented water-cooling systems and 100% hydroelectric power from the region to support conventional computing and to unleash the availability of high-performance computing at the site.
The facility will benefit from two fibre routes linking it to the digital hubs of New York, Chicago, Ireland and London.
James Connaughton, CEO of Nautilus, said: “Our advances in digital infrastructure will help deliver outcomes that enhance people’s lives by accelerating social welfare, improving the environment and closing the digital divide.”
The first phase of the $300 million project is expected to be commissioned and operational by “late 2022”, said Nautilus.
Committed customers of the data centre include The Jackson Laboratory and Maine State Chamber of Commerce.
