The following frequently asked questions address common topics related to the 5C Data Center, including power and grid capacity, water use, infrastructure readiness, jobs, environmental safeguards and oversight. This information was provided by 5C Data Center in response to questions raised by Springfield residents.
POWER & GRID
Q: How much electricity will this facility use — in megawatts?
A: The facility is designed for a maximum load of up to 150 megawatts.
Q: Is our current grid built to handle that load without causing outages?
A: Yes. The local grid has been evaluated and approved to support this load.
A: The facility does not begin operations until all grid connections are fully in place and approved.
Q: Who is paying for new substations or transmission upgrades?
A: All required grid upgrades are paid for by 5C, not the City of Springfield or residents.
Q: What happens during heat waves or grid emergencies?
A: The facility is designed to withstand extreme weather, including rare heat events.
A: In a grid emergency, the facility can operate independently using on-site generators, without drawing power from or impacting the local grid.
WATER
Q: Will this data center use water for cooling?
A: Yes, but water use is limited and carefully controlled, primarily for cooling.
Q: How much water per year?
A: The often-cited 300,000 gallons per day figure represents a theoretical maximum during extreme heat conditions only.
A: For most of the year, water use is described as minimal or near zero.
Q: What happens during heat waves or grid emergencies?
A: The facility is designed to withstand extreme weather, including rare heat events.
A: In a grid emergency, the facility can operate independently using on-site generators, without drawing power from or impacting the local grid.
Q: Will it rely on closed-loop systems or evaporative cooling?
A: Cooling is handled through a closed-loop system, meaning water is reused rather than continuously consume
Q: How does this impact a region already facing water stress?
A: The facility uses on-site water storage and is designed not to place stress on local water supplies.
A: Water use is regulated, monitored, and capped by permits, with corrective action required if limits are exceeded.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Q: Were our systems designed for AI-scale, 24/7 demand?
A: Yes. The facility was designed from the outset to support AI-scale, 24/7 operations.
Q: What breaks first if demand spikes faster than upgrades?
A: According to 5C, nothing “breaks.”
A: The site is developed in phases, and each phase proceeds only after infrastructure and utility capacity are confirmed.
Q: How long do upgrades take compared to how fast this facility comes online?
A: Infrastructure upgrades are completed before operations or expansion, not after.
A: The facility does not come online until all supporting systems are fully in place and approved.
JOBS
Q: How many permanent local jobs will exist after construction?
A: 120 permanent, full-time jobs.
Q: How many will be temporary?
A: Hundreds of construction and indirect jobs during development
Q: What is the long-term economic benefit to residents?
A: Up to 1.3 billion in total investment
A: More than $14 million in annual payroll
A: Long-term economic diversification beyond traditional manufacturing
HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
Q: What backup systems are being used?
A: The site currently has 3 backup generators, with 16 additional generators planned as part of Phase 1 expansion
Q: Are diesel generators involved?
A: Yes. The backup generators are diesel-powered, which is standard for critical infrastructure.
Q: How often are they tested or run?
A: Existing generators: tested once per month with no electrical load
A: Additional generators: brief testing every two weeks, per safety and regulatory requirements
A: Outside of testing, generators are used only during rare emergency situations.
Q: What pollution is released when they are used?
A: Emissions include regulated levels of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and trace hydrocarbons.
A: All generators operate under Ohio EPA permits with strict emission limits and use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.
TRANSPARENCY
Q: Are water and energy use publicly reported?
A: Water and energy use are tracked through utility providers, regulators, and governed by permits and service agreements.
Q: Can residents see those numbers?
A: Usage is monitored through regulated channels; reporting is tied to utilities and regulatory oversight, not discretionary disclosure.
Q: What oversight exists if usage exceeds projections?
A: If water or energy use exceeds approved limits, corrective action is required under existing regulatory frameworks.
Additional Data Center Resources:
Springfield datacenter developer details plans for reduced water & energy use
Datacenter January 2026 Report