Delaware Board to Hear Starwood Digital Ventures' Appeal for 1.2-GW Data Center

A Delaware board will hear an appeal on Starwood Digital Ventures' proposed 1.2-gigawatt data center in Delaware City. The project has raised concerns about land use and economic impact. Starwood aims to build 11 buildings on a 580-acre site, utilizing 516 diesel fuel tanks for backup. The appeal follows a DNREC decision denying the project under the Coastal Zone Act, which restricts heavy industry construction in coastal areas. If successful, the project may bypass new county regulations on data centers.

Published Mar 24, 2026

Starwood Digital Ventures is appealing to a Delaware board regarding its proposed 1.2-gigawatt data center in Delaware City, which is at the center of a land use debate. The plan includes 11 buildings on a 580-acre site and 516 diesel fuel tanks for backup power.

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DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson previously ruled the project ineligible under the Coastal Zone Act. The appeal is notable as it is the first to be heard in five years. If approved, the project will not need to comply with recent county regulations, which impose restrictions on new data centers. New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry signed an ordinance on March 18, requiring setbacks and closed-loop cooling systems for future data centers.