West Texas will soon be home to what developers describe as the largest permitted data center campus in the United States, following state approval for a massive power and infrastructure project near the Permian Basin oil fields.
Pacifico Energy said this month it received approval from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the GW Ranch project, an expansive complex of gas-fired power plants and data centers planned for Pecos County.
The more than 8,000-acre campus will be located about 17 miles north of Fort Stockton, southwest of Odessa. State regulators approved an air permit allowing up to 7.65 gigawatts of gas-fired power generation, using a mix of small- and large-scale natural gas turbines.
As electricity prices rise nationwide and data centers place increasing strain on power grids, Pacifico Energy said the project is designed to avoid impacting Texas ratepayers. The company plans to operate a private grid that combines natural gas generation with solar power and battery storage.
"With strong local support and a focus on sustainable development, GW Ranch will drive economic growth, support local industries, and will help the U.S. maintain its position as the world leader in AI innovation" according to a release from Pacifico Energy.
Pacifico Energy said the approach will support rapid growth in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure without increasing energy costs for Texans. The company expects the GW Ranch to begin supplying power to customers in the first half of 2027.
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