Most land marketed for data centers is raw land near a transmission line. A smaller share is powered land, with a utility study, an agreement or an energized connection. The price gap between the two is large, and so is the risk. Data center land deals surged in early 2026 and powered sites command a premium. This page explains how to tell the two apart and lists the powered land Invariant has now, from a few acres to more than 15,000.
Before you start
- Raw land near a line is not powered land. Ask for the utility document behind any MW figure.
- Data center land deals rose sharply in early 2026 and powered sites command a premium over raw land.
- Size the land from the MW: roughly 50 to 150 gross acres for a 100 MW AI or hyperscale campus.
- Invariant lists powered land from a few acres to 15,000+ acres.
Raw land versus powered land
Raw land is a parcel with zoning potential and a line nearby. Powered land has a utility document that commits capacity, or an energized connection. In between sit sites with a named MW figure but no study for the buyer’s load. Price each one by the paper it has, not the map.
What drives price per acre
Bisnow reported that data center land deals surged 141% in the first quarter of 2026, and has described entitled, powered land as fetching close to $1 million an acre in hot markets. The premium follows the power document and the zoning, not the soil. Raw farmland a few miles away can trade at a small fraction of that.BisnowBisnow
How much land you need
Land follows load. A 138 kV substation takes about 3 acres and a 345 kV interconnection substation 8.5 to 16.5 acres under ComEd’s guidelines. AI and hyperscale campuses usually land between 0.5 and 2 MW per gross acre. Mining sites pack tighter.ComEd via PJM
Sites available through Invariant now
A selection from Invariant’s current US inventory that fits this search. Specs are as marketed by the owner and are checked against utility documents before any introduction.
| Region | Power | Land | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1.5 GW Phase 1 | 15,000+ acres | Grid 2027 |
| Ohio | 300 MW approved | 300+ acres | 1H 2027 |
| Nevada | 375 MW | ~350 acres | 2027 to 2028 |
| Pennsylvania | 200 MW BTM gas + 300 MW grid | 120 ready acres | Phased |
| Indiana | 200 MW, load study done | ~80 acres | Substation planned |
| Wisconsin | 150 MW built, 80 MW now | 130 ready acres | Now |
| North Carolina | 18 MW live, path past 100 MW | ~200 acres | Now |
| Kentucky | 30 MW greenfield | ~16 acres, rezoned | Now |
Exact locations, the utility documents behind each MW figure and pricing are shared on a call. We also hold sites that are not listed publicly; owners ask for discretion and a site that is shopped everywhere loses value.
Browse data center sites by size, state and type
Questions that come up.
How much does data center land cost per acre?
It depends on the power and zoning. Bisnow has reported entitled, powered land approaching $1 million an acre in hot markets, while raw land without a utility document can trade far lower.Bisnow
What is the difference between powered land and raw land?
Powered land has a utility document committing capacity, or an energized connection. Raw land has only proximity to lines and zoning potential.
How do I get matching sites from Invariant?
Book a call or call (628) 220-8972 with your MW, states and energize-by date. We send matching sites, including off-market ones.
Sources and references.
Site specifications are as marketed by the seller and are checked against utility documents before any introduction. Public sources checked on . The location, equipment, and operating plan determine which requirements apply to a project.