Officials talk Iren Data Center in Childress
Iren Data Center in Childress, Texas, is developing a 750-megawatt facility, with a 200-megawatt portion for Microsoft Cloud services expected this year. The company highlights its significant local employment, use of renewable energy capacity via an ERCOT connection, and a closed-loop cooling system to conserve water in the resource-scarce Childress County.
Officials discussed the ongoing development of the Iren Data Center in Childress, Texas, which is being built on a 576-acre site and is planned to ultimately reach 750 megawatts of capacity. A significant portion, a 200-megawatt section for Microsoft Cloud services, is slated for delivery this year.
Since its establishment four years ago, Iren has become a major local employer, with approximately 170 full-time staff and about 2,500 daily construction workers. The facility utilizes an ERCOT-connected grid, benefiting from excess renewable energy generation and established transmission systems in the Childress area. Addressing local environmental concerns, particularly water scarcity in Childress County, the data center employs a closed-loop cooling system that requires a single fill with water brought from outside the county, minimizing ongoing consumption.
According to Shaw, the data center represents a long-term commitment to Childress, offering sustained technology jobs and contributing to the local economy through roles in cooling process management, electrical infrastructure, maintenance, and administration. The company expressed its intent to continue employing and developing local talent in the technology sector for many years.