Rowan closes $3 billion in green financing for Project Temple as protests, possible moratorium considered
Rowan Digital Infrastructure secured nearly $3 billion in green debt financing for its 300-megawatt data center campus, Project Temple, in Temple, Texas. This financing comes amidst growing scrutiny from state and local officials over the rapid expansion of energy-intensive data centers and significant local opposition. Bell County commissioners are set to discuss a possible moratorium on data center development, and protests are planned by local residents.
Rowan Digital Infrastructure, a Denver-based firm, has secured nearly $3 billion in debt financing for its planned 300-megawatt data center campus in Temple, Texas, known as Project Temple. This marks the largest financing transaction in the company’s history, bringing the total raised under its sustainability-focused Green Finance Framework to $4.4 billion across three projects.
The investment announcement coincides with escalating concerns from Texas state and local officials regarding the rapid growth of energy-intensive data centers. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) projects a substantial increase in statewide electricity demand by 2032, largely attributed to industrial users like data centers. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has called for a moratorium on data center development, citing the burden on local communities and taxpayers from incentives and infrastructure upgrades.
Local opposition to data center development in Temple has intensified, leading residents to form the group "Temple Stands Together." The group recently attempted to recall Temple Mayor Tim Davis, Mayor pro tem Jessica Walker, and Council member Mike Pilkington for their votes on data center projects, though the effort fell short of the required signatures. A local protest is scheduled at the Bell County Courthouse, where Bell County commissioners are also slated to discuss a possible data center moratorium.