Amazon Backs 7.65 GW Gas Plant, Largest Planned in US, for Off-Grid Texas AI Data Center
Amazon confirmed it is financing a massive private gas power plant in Pecos County, Texas, that would be larger than any gas plant currently operating in the United States, according to Distilled and AFP. The company acquired the GW Ranch site, where developer Pacifico Energy is building a 7.65 gigawatt natural gas facility using 35 turbines to power Amazon’s first off-grid AI data center campus.
The project was uncovered by market intelligence firm Cleanview, which cross-referenced satellite imagery showing land clearing at the site with three data center construction permits Amazon filed this week with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Permits filed in January show the state approved the plant to emit up to 33 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, which would make it the single largest source of pollution in the country if it emitted at that ceiling, more than the largest coal plant in the US. Companies rarely operate at their permitted maximum.
The facility will run entirely disconnected from the Texas grid, at least initially. “Our new planned data center campus in Pecos County does just that: it’s powered by new on-site generation that won’t raise electricity costs for Texas families and designed to transition to grid-connected service as interconnection timelines allow,” an Amazon spokesperson said. The company said it is also exploring on-site solar and battery storage, and plans to draw non-potable, brackish groundwater rather than water suitable for drinking or irrigation. Pacifico Energy has said it plans up to 750 megawatts of solar and 1.8 gigawatts of battery storage at the site.
Construction on three data center buildings began immediately after the permits were filed. Amazon said it remains committed to net-zero emissions by 2040 under its Climate Pledge, and that it has enabled roughly 10 gigawatts of carbon-free energy across 40 Texas projects to power its existing data centers.
The GW Ranch project marks Amazon’s first major bet on off-grid, behind-the-meter power and puts it alongside Microsoft, Google, and Meta, all of which have made large natural gas commitments this year. Microsoft announced in June it is partnering with Chevron on a 2 gigawatt off-grid gas-powered data center campus roughly 30 miles from GW Ranch. Cleanview estimates developers have announced nearly 60 behind-the-meter gas power projects since the start of 2025, totalling 90 gigawatts of capacity. Amazon is also reportedly in talks on a separate 4.5 gigawatt gas plant in Homer City, Pennsylvania.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- The immediate construction start on three data center buildings signals near-term bid activity for civil, electrical, and mechanical subs in Pecos County; contractors already working data center or power generation projects in the Permian Basin region should be positioning now.
- A 35-turbine, 7.65 GW gas plant is a massive EPC undertaking on its own, separate from the data center buildings; turbine installation, gas pipeline tie-ins, and balance-of-plant work will draw specialized power generation subcontractors well before the data centers themselves are ready for occupancy.
- The added 750 MW solar and 1.8 GW battery storage buildout gives renewable and battery-storage installation crews a second, parallel bid package at the same site.
- Water sourcing from non-potable, brackish groundwater rather than municipal supply suggests specialized well drilling and water treatment subcontractors will also see work tied to this project.
- Given the project’s scale and its scrutiny from environmental and community groups, contractors should expect permitting and regulatory review to remain an active risk factor even after construction is underway.
