Amazon plans largest US gas power plant in Texas for AI data center

Published Aug 7, 07:26 PM UTC

Amazon is developing a massive 7.65 gigawatt gas power plant in Pecos County, Texas, to power an AI data center, according to a report by The Distilled newsletter. The project, known as GW Ranch, has received a state permit allowing it to emit 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, making it the largest pollution source in the United States, surpassing the biggest coal plant. The plant will initially operate off-grid, separate from Texas's power grid. Amazon has filed three construction permits and land clearing has begun. This contradicts Amazon's public commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 under The Climate Pledge. Amazon defends the project by citing its 10 gigawatts of carbon-free energy in Texas and plans to use non-potable brackish groundwater. However, the project faces likely public backlash due to data centers' unpopularity across party lines, concerns over pollution, lack of local job creation, and potential strain on water resources in drought-prone Texas.