Aligned Data Centers, a prominent provider of hyperscale data center solutions, has recently initiated construction on its IAD-04 facility within the Quantum Frederick Park in Maryland. This development marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansion plans, following a series of regulatory challenges and strategic shifts.
Background and Initial Plans
In May 2022, Aligned Data Centers entered into an agreement with Quantum Loophole to acquire land, power, and water rights at the Quantum Frederick campus in Frederick County, Maryland. This partnership aimed to establish a substantial data center presence in the region, leveraging Maryland’s favorable tax incentives and proximity to Northern Virginia’s tech hub. (aligneddc.com)
By December 2022, Aligned had outlined plans for a 3.3 million square foot data center campus with a total capacity of 264 megawatts (MW). The development was to be executed in phases, with the initial phase focusing on a 450,000-square-foot facility featuring 42 diesel generators. (datacenterdynamics.com, datacenterdynamics.com)
Regulatory Challenges and Strategic Withdrawal
In August 2023, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) denied Aligned’s request for an exemption to install 168 diesel generators, citing environmental concerns. The PSC’s decision effectively limited the company’s backup power capacity to 70 MW, a move that Aligned deemed insufficient for the project’s viability. (direct.datacenterdynamics.com)
Consequently, Aligned withdrew from the project in October 2023, expressing concerns that the regulatory environment in Maryland posed significant challenges for data center investments. (protectpwc.org)
Resurgence and Current Developments
Despite the earlier setbacks, Aligned has re-engaged with the Quantum Frederick Park project. In February 2025, the company broke ground on the IAD-04 facility, a 72 MW data center located on a 75-acre plot within the campus. This facility represents the first phase of Aligned’s renewed commitment to the Maryland data center market. (datacenterdynamics.com)
The Quantum Frederick Park, a 2,100-acre campus, is designed to accommodate multiple hyperscale data centers. Aligned’s IAD-04 facility is part of a broader plan that includes four multi-story buildings, contributing to the campus’s total capacity of 264 MW. (datacenterdynamics.com)
Environmental Initiatives
In a parallel development, Quantum Loophole has initiated a 600-acre Nature Reserve within the campus. This reserve aims to act as a carbon sink, supporting the operation of a carbon-negative industrial development. The project commenced in March 2024 with a demonstration planting in collaboration with the University of Maryland and the local community. (businesswire.com)
Conclusion
Aligned Data Centers’ renewed investment in the Quantum Frederick Park underscores the company’s resilience and commitment to expanding its footprint in the Maryland data center market. The successful development of the IAD-04 facility is poised to enhance the region’s data infrastructure, supporting the growing demand for digital services while aligning with environmental sustainability goals.
