Site Readiness Scoring: How We Rank Infrastructure
How is a datacenter site readiness score calculated?
The Site Readiness Score is a weighted index (0-100) based on four technical pillars: Power (40% - Interconnection status/reliability), Fiber (25% - Carrier density/latency), Permitting (20% - Zoning/ZNE status), and Sustainability (15% - Water/Carbon). A score of 85+ indicates a 'shovel-ready' site with energization potential within 18 months.
Key Data Points
- Pillar 1: Power (Wait time, MW capacity, Substations)
- Pillar 2: Fiber (IX proximity, Dark fiber paths)
- Pillar 3: Permitting (CEQA, By-right zoning, Wetlands)
- Pillar 4: Resource Risk (WUE, Carbon intensity, Tax incentives)
- Threshold: 85+ = Low Risk, 60-84 = Moderate, <60 = High Risk
The Four Pillars of Readiness
Power
Weighted heaviest due to interconnection backlog. Measures substation distance and queue position.
Fiber
Measures diversity of carriers and latency to major IXPs like Ashburn, Dallas, or Chicago.
Permitting
Evaluates by-right zoning, environmental hurdle history, and local community support.
Resources
Analyzes water rights, cooling restrictions, and state-level tax incentive packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a site "Tier 1" ready?
A Tier 1 site has a signed Interconnection Agreement (IA), is zoned specifically for datacenter use, and has at least 3 distinct fiber carriers with laterals to the property boundary.
How often are the scores updated?
Scores are recalculated quarterly to reflect changes in ISO queue timelines and local regulatory updates.
Can a low score be fixed?
Yes. Most low scores are due to lack of power visibility. Moving from Feasibility Study to System Impact Study in the ISO queue will significantly boost a site's score.