Powering a Large-Scale AI Data Center in Record Time

Background: A Booming Industry with Rising Energy Demands

The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence is driving unprecedented demand for AI-ready data centers. According to a recent McKinsey & Company report 1, AI workloads are expected to account for 70% of global data center capacity by 2030. The high-power demand required for these operations places increased pressure on transformer manufacturers to deliver more units on accelerated timelines, ensuring high-voltage power from the grid is stepped down to stable, usable levels.

This was exactly the situation, where a leading AI company was retrofitting an existing industrial facility to build out a ~750,000-square-foot data center with a planned 150 MW capacity. Designed to support massive AI workloads, the project required equally huge power infrastructure, and it needed to be operational in record time to meet competitive market pressures.

From project start to energization, the project team worked within an 8–16 week period — far less than the industry norm of 30–50 weeks for comparable infrastructure. Backed by more than 50 years of experience and domestic manufacturing capabilities, MGM Transformers was tasked with custom engineering, manufacturing, delivering, and supporting the installation of transformers capable of handling significant electrical loads with absolute reliability. Achieving this required precise coordination across engineering, production, logistics, and onsite teams to ensure phased deliveries aligned perfectly with the build schedule. Missing even one deadline could have delayed the facility’s launch and threatened the client’s competitive position.

The Results: On-Time Delivery, Enabling Large-Scale AI

The project was executed in two phases. Phase one delivered 80 medium-voltage substation dry-type transformers, with shipments beginning in just eight weeks and concluding by week 16. Phase two added another 60 transformers, which began shipping after eight weeks and continued to arrive on schedule. In total, nearly 50 truckloads — carrying 140 transformers made and shipped from Commerce, CA — reached the job site, supporting every installation milestone for the 150 MW facility.

The accelerated delivery enabled the AI data center to go live on schedule, supporting the client’s advanced AI deployment. Providing stable, usable power to the data center, MGMT’s transformers are ensuring the site runs at full capacity without affecting the reliability of power for the surrounding community.