Site Diligence
Data Center Site Screening
First-pass site screening should answer one question: which markets and counties have a realistic path to firm, energized capacity on a financeable timeline? We screen by evidence — queue data, substation proxies, utility context — not by marketing narratives.
What screening-grade means
Screening-grade intelligence narrows a national market universe to a workable shortlist of 10-30 candidates ranked by energization readiness. It is not a substitute for utility-certified serviceability analysis or site-specific engineering studies. It reduces wasted time and expensive dead-ends in the early diligence phase.
Does not imply guaranteed MW, guaranteed interconnection, guaranteed permitting, or utility-certified power availability.
Screening dimensions
Time-to-power posture
Energization window band and primary timing blockers per market/county.
Queue-linked evidence
ISO interconnection queue stage, capacity, and progression where available (ERCOT, PJM).
Substation and transmission
High-voltage substation proximity and headroom proxies from EIA infrastructure data.
Timing confidence
Whether the row is backed by direct queue evidence, curated facts, or screening proxies.
Local friction signals
Moratoriums, zoning restrictions, or community opposition where source evidence exists.
Water and cooling risk
Water stress scores and cooling constraint flags for markets with known water sensitivity.
Who uses site screening
Site developers
Narrow 50+ candidate markets to 10-15 for deeper diligence before committing site visits or utility engagement.
Infrastructure investors
Screen portfolio exposure to time-to-power risk across multiple markets. Identify markets where timing is improving or worsening.
Underwriting teams
Use as early evidence input for IC memos and risk assessments alongside utility-provided data.
Site-selection consultants
Supplement traditional site-selection criteria with time-to-power screening to avoid energization surprises.