SSVEC CEO Jason Bowling on what the proposed SpaceX data center means for co-op members
SpaceX is proposing a data center campus of up to 6 gigawatts on roughly 747 acres along U.S. 191 in Cochise County near Willcox. SSVEC CEO Jason Bowling said the cooperative is evaluating power reliability, member rates, water use, environmental effects and potential community benefits, while residents expressed both interest and concern.
SpaceX has proposed a large data center campus near the Cochise Playa along U.S. Highway 191 in Cochise County. Application materials describe nine computing buildings, electrical and battery infrastructure, dry cooling, limited projected water use and up to $3.6 billion in applicant-funded transmission and substation improvements. The project could employ about 5,500 workers during construction and support approximately 1,000 permanent jobs if fully built.
At a community presentation, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative CEO Jason Bowling said SSVEC is focused on protecting members from higher rates or reliability problems while evaluating an energy services agreement with SpaceX and Arizona Electric Power Cooperative. Residents raised questions about water, power supply and environmental impacts near the Willcox Playa; some were angry, while others were interested or supportive. Bowling said the proposal remains subject to further review through county planning and zoning processes and the Arizona Corporation Commission, and that community benefits and member-rate reductions could result if the project proceeds.