Maine is Home to 11 Data Centers in 8 Communities Statewide

There are several hot political debates going on throughout the country right now and one of them centers around data centers.

Several towns and communities in Maine have begun working towards zoning restrictions or outright bans of data centers over the fear of water usage, noise pollution and the rapid development of AI.

But there is a key difference between traditional data centers and what are called 'hyperscale' data centers that have drawn so much attention.

There Are No Hyperscale Data Centers in Maine Currently

While everyone uses the blanket term data center to describe the AI-driven facilities with a massive footprint, they are really called hyperscale data centers instead.

Carl Court, Getty Images

Hyperscale data centers generally occupy significant space (often over 100,000 square feet) and can run tens of thousands of serves at once.

Hyperscale data centers are the type of data centers that used specialized cooling networks that have come under fire for their usage of fresh water in many communities.

While there is no statewide ban on hyperscale data centers in Maine, there could be one in the future.

Maine Has 11 Standard Data Centers Operating Throughout The State

Standard data centers differ from hyperscale data centers in size and scope. Brunswick, Maine, is currently home to the most data centers in the state with three.

Rows of black server racks with white logos in a data center

Maine is home to an AI data center in northern Maine. Located on the old Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine, LiquidCool Loring is operational with room to expand.

There are a couple of other larger data centers in the proposal phase. One at the former Yankee power plant in Brunswick and another in Millinocket that would leverage the hydropower of an old mill.