Plans to build a 2GW, 10,000-acre data center in Socorro, New Mexico, have been scrapped following widespread backlash to the proposal.

Back in March, data center developer Green Data floated the idea of developing a 10GW solar farm that would power a 2GW data center located on land owned by the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

If permitted, this would have been the largest data center in New Mexico.

But the President of New Mexico Tech, Michael Jackson, said in a statement on June 2 that they would not be proceeding with the project.

“During the initial phase of this process, we identified several material considerations that led both parties to mutually conclude that proceeding under the current framework is not the right path at this time,” said Jackson.

Jackson said that they were choosing not to renew or extend their agreement with Green Data because of reasons related to the available acreage owned by New Mexico Tech, challenges with the potential integration of alternative renewable energy sources, and the difficulty of conducting due diligence on such a large project.

But Jackson claimed that “NMT remains open to revisiting a conversation."

“Regarding the latter, a similarly designed facility, operating for an established period, would give us concrete reference data against which to evaluate feasibility and performance expectations," he said. “It would also let us address the concerns raised by individuals and in the resolution by the Village of Magdalena.”

This refers to a resolution approved on May 11 by the Village of Magdalena – around 27 miles west of Socorro – which “formally expresses its opposition to the proposed Green Data Center and associated solar development unless and until it can be clearly demonstrated that the Project will not adversely impact local water resources, environment, or community characteristics.”

Local data center opponents have protested against the proposal since it was announced.

A petition against the proposal has gathered more than 4,600 signatures, and the Socorro County Board of Commissioners is set to consider whether to impose a moratorium on data centers at its next meeting on June 9.

Jackson's statement makes no mention of the potential moratorium.

Green Data says that it is “developing a portfolio of data centers paired with renewable energy generation and storage solutions,” according to its website. Its CEO, Jason Bak, was formerly the CEO and chairman of Finavera Renewables, a Canadian wind farm company.

Green Data should not be confused with the Swiss firm Green Datacenter.