ABB has expanded its power technology partnership with Applied Digital, agreeing to supply medium voltage infrastructure for the operator’s second AI Factory campus, Polaris Forge 2, near Harwood, North Dakota.
The campus totals 300 megawatts, split across two buildings scheduled to enter service in 2026 and 2027. ABB says the design targets best‑in‑class efficiency and an industry‑low PUE for large AI workloads. The new order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2025, underscoring acceleration in AI power delivery programmes.
Medium voltage design shifts data economics
At the core of the partnership is a move from traditional low‑voltage to medium‑voltage power distribution using ABB’s HiPerGuard UPS and advanced switchgear. The architecture supports larger 25 MW building blocks, reduces cabling, and raises power density, all critical for clusters packed with AI accelerators. Efficiency gains also compress time to market by simplifying the electrical backbone across the site.
“The medium voltage architecture is a big step forward,” said Massimiliano Cifalitti, ABB Smart Power President. ABB frames the approach as a template for scaling high‑performance data centres at lower lifecycle cost.
Offtake and financing underpin capacity
The signed 200 MW lease, a roughly $5 billion (C$6.9 billion) revenue commitment over about 15 years, anchors two‑thirds of the campus before energization begins.
The company’s capital stack has also widened, with Australia’s Macquarie agreeing in January 2025 to invest up to $5 billion (C$6.9 billion) in Applied Digital’s AI data centres, including an initial $900 million (C$1.2 billion) tranche tied to North Dakota. Together, offtake and sponsor capital de‑risk procurement and long‑lead electrical gear for the phased build. Pricing terms for ABB’s equipment were not disclosed.
Local grid and site development
Applied Digital positions Polaris Forge 2 as a $3 billion (C$4.1 billion), 900‑acre campus with power service from Cass County Electric Cooperative. The initial plan calls for two facilities, with further expansion possible as grid connections and tenant demand allow. Company materials indicate more than 200 full‑time jobs at full buildout, alongside long‑term contractors.
“Polaris Forge 2 represents the next evolution of our AI factory,” said Todd Gale, chief development officer at Applied Digital. The operator is already scaling in North Dakota through its Ellendale and Jamestown sites, giving the market a track record on interconnection and commissioning.