Texas Data Center Tracker: See where data centers are planned or operating near you

Texas has emerged as the leading state for data center development in the U.S., driven by a surge in artificial intelligence infrastructure. A recent report indicates the state could see a 142% increase in its industry share by 2028, potentially becoming the world's largest data center hub. Michael Thomas, CEO of Cleanview, notes that developers are attracted to Texas due to available power capacity, leading to an "explosion of announced data centers." This rapid expansion is projected to create thousands of jobs and significantly boost the Texas economy. However, it also presents challenges, particularly concerning the competition for finite resources such as electricity and water. While state agencies do not maintain a public list of data centers, the Houston Chronicle, in collaboration with Cleanview, has developed an interactive map tracking existing and proposed projects across Texas, utilizing publicly available information like press releases and regulatory filings. The Dallas metro area currently holds the title of Texas's largest data center market and the second largest nationally. Companies like NTT Data Center, which has a campus in Garland, are drawn to the region's robust fiber-optic infrastructure, corporate presence, and large population. Yet, the high energy demands of AI data centers are pushing new developments towards adjacent markets like Austin and San Antonio, as Dallas's power grid capacity becomes constrained. Mega-projects, requiring vast amounts of electricity, are increasingly targeting West Texas due to its abundant energy resources, including natural gas. One of the state's largest projects, a 750-megawatt Bitcoin mine, is located in Childress County. Conversely, the Houston area, despite its current capacity, is expected to see less future interest due to its susceptibility to natural disasters such as flooding and hurricanes, which pose significant operational risks for data centers requiring constant, uninterrupted operation.