COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Plans for a massive new data center campus in Colleton County are facing growing opposition.

Environmental groups across the Lowcountry are raising concerns about its location, energy use and potential impact on sensitive land.

The proposed project would span roughly 859 acres south of Walterboro, within the ACE Basin watershed — an area long recognized for its ecological importance. If approved, it would add to a growing list of data centers powering up across the Charleston region. Five data centers have already been built in the area, with more proposals now under consideration.

READ MORE | “New Google data centers promise jobs but raise questions about water usage impact.”

Environmental advocates question whether Colleton County is the right place for a development of this scale.

“So what we’ve got here is a proposed data center south of Walterboro in the ACE Basin on an 850-acre property,” said Robby Maynor, climate campaign associate with the Southern Environmental Law Center.

Maynor says large data center campuses typically require enormous amounts of electricity and water — resources that could place additional strain on local infrastructure and the surrounding environment.

“Typically, data centers, especially on this scale, use a huge amount of energy and a huge amount of water,” Maynor said.

The debate comes as demand for data centers continues to surge nationwide. The rise of artificial intelligence and data-heavy digital services has fueled rapid expansion in the industry.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, data centers consumed about four percent of all electricity in the United States in 2023. That number could climb to 12 percent by 2028.

“These types of large data center campuses can use as much electricity as a small town,” Maynor added.

While acknowledging the role data centers play in the modern economy, Maynor argues the proposed site raises unique concerns.

“This is a very special area in the ACE Basin, which is the confluence of the Combahee and Edisto rivers,” he said. “For decades, this watershed has been preserved.”

News 4 reached out to all members of the Colleton County Council for comment on the project, but did not receive a response before deadline.

READ MORE | “Google to invest $9 billion in Berkeley & Dorchester counties for cloud and AI expansion.”

Ultimately, advocates say the decision comes down to land use priorities.

“At the end of the day, this is a land use decision,” Maynor said. “The county needs to make a decision about what do we protect, and where do we look to promote economic development?”

Community members will have an opportunity to weigh in soon.

A public meeting on the proposed data center is scheduled for Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at the Colleton County Civic Center, where residents can voice their support or concerns.