Amazon plans massive Texas AI campus—and an enormous gas power plant
Amazon is planning a large AI data center in Pecos County, Texas, which will be powered by a new 7.65-gigawatt natural gas plant, potentially becoming a major carbon emitter. This development coincides with Texas Governor Greg Abbott directing state regulators to scrutinize data centers' impact on the power grid and water supply, and has led to a halt on some large-load project approvals.
Amazon is developing a substantial AI data center campus at the GW Ranch site in Pecos County, West Texas. This facility will be powered by an on-site natural gas plant featuring 35 turbines, generating up to 7.65 gigawatts of electricity. The plant, developed by Pacifico Energy, has been permitted to emit approximately 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, raising significant environmental concerns despite Amazon's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2040.
The project will initially operate off Texas's electrical grid, with Amazon stating its intention to cover the full costs of its operations. Land clearing for the data center buildings has already commenced, with permits filed with the state. The site may also integrate up to 750 megawatts of solar generation and 1.8 gigawatts of battery storage in the future.
This development occurs amidst increasing scrutiny from the Texas state government regarding the data center industry's rapid expansion. Governor Greg Abbott has directed state regulators to ensure data centers bear the costs of electrical infrastructure and to protect residential customers from higher utility rates. He has also called for closer examination of the industry's water usage and community impacts. Recently, Abbott announced a halt on approvals for certain large-load projects pending utility audits. Microsoft also has a data center project near Pecos, powered by natural gas through an agreement with Chevron.