ChipsSeptember 18, 2026via Financial Times Technology
Oracle’s $18bn data centre debt under strain amid local pushback
Why it matters
The AI infrastructure buildout is running into real-world constraints — permitting delays and community opposition are now material financial risks for the largest capex bets in the industry.
Key signals
- Oracle $18B data-center investment under strain
- Permitting and construction delays cited
- Local opposition in New Mexico mounting
- Investor confidence wavering on project timeline
- Real-world constraints on compute infrastructure expansion
The hook
$18B at risk. Oracle's mega data-center buildout is hitting permitting walls and local pushback in New Mexico.
Investors grow wary of permitting and construction delays as opposition mounts in New Mexico