New AI Data Center Planned For Hood County
Big Digital Energy and 10NetZero announced a joint venture to develop a new AI data center on a 50-acre site in Hood County, Texas, with plans to expand power capacity up to 311 MW, subject to ERCOT approvals. This development comes amidst significant statewide backlash against data centers, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott calling for new limits on rural data center projects and directing regulators to ensure they cover their own costs. Hood County commissioners have previously rejected a data center moratorium despite ongoing local opposition to such projects.
Big Digital Energy, Inc. and energy-infrastructure company 10NetZero have formed a 50:50 joint venture to develop a large-scale artificial intelligence data center campus on a 50-acre site in Hood County, Texas, southwest of Fort Worth. The site currently offers 17 MW of operational power, with plans for expansion to 311 MW, pending approvals from ERCOT and additional infrastructure.
Josh Kilgore, chairman of Big Digital Energy (formerly Mawson Infrastructure Group), stated the acquisition exemplifies their strategy to secure AI-ready sites. COO Cody Smith added that the Hood County site would enable faster capacity delivery to AI customers compared to greenfield projects. Big Digital Energy also plans other sites in Dallas, Mustang, South Texas, and Oklahoma through its Six Thirty AI venture.
The project emerges amid growing statewide opposition to data centers. Hood County commissioners have previously postponed or rejected data center proposals but declined to implement a moratorium. Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently called for new limits on data center development in rural areas, directing regulators to ensure these projects bear their own power, infrastructure, and water costs without increasing residential electric bills. Many Texas residents have also urged a special legislative session to address data center regulations.