Amazon Backs 7.65-Gigawatt Gas Power Plant for Texas AI Data Center
Amazon has confirmed plans to power a new AI data center campus in Pecos County using a massive on-site natural gas plant. The facility is permitted for carbon emissions that could exceed those of the largest coal plant in the United States.
Key takeaways
- Amazon is building a 7.65-gigawatt natural gas power plant in Pecos County, Texas, to support a new AI data center campus.
- The facility is permitted to emit up to 33 million tons of CO2 annually, potentially making it the largest single pollution source in the U.S.
- The project will initially operate off-grid to prevent rising electricity costs for Texas residents while awaiting grid interconnection.
What Happened
Amazon has acquired the GW Ranch site in Pecos County, Texas, to develop an artificial intelligence data center campus powered by dedicated on-site natural gas generation. The project, developed by Pacifico Energy, features a planned power plant utilizing 35 turbines to produce 7.65 gigawatts of electricity. Satellite imagery from July 2026 indicates that land clearing has already commenced, and Amazon has filed three construction permits for data center buildings at the location.
Initially, this facility will operate entirely disconnected from the Texas electricity grid. Amazon representatives stated the off-grid approach ensures the project does not increase electricity costs for local residents. The company intends to transition the site to grid-connected service as interconnection timelines permit.
Why It Matters
The scale of the GW Ranch project presents a significant challenge to Amazon's stated goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. The state of Texas has issued a permit allowing the gas plant to emit up to 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. If emissions reach this maximum allowed level, the facility would become the single largest source of climate pollution in the U.S., more than doubling the 16 million tons emitted annually by the nation's largest coal plant in Alabama.
This investment reflects a broader industry trend where "hyperscaler" companies—including Microsoft, Google, and Meta—are increasingly turning to fossil fuel power to meet the high energy demands of AI. Data center developers have announced approximately 60 behind-the-meter gas projects since early 2025, totaling 90 gigawatts of capacity.
Background
Amazon reports that its emissions increased in 2025, though the company maintains that the path to sustainability is not linear. To date, the firm has enabled 10 gigawatts of carbon-free energy across 40 different projects in Texas to support its existing infrastructure. For the new Pecos County site, Amazon plans to use non-potable, brackish groundwater for operations, which is unsuitable for drinking or irrigation, and is exploring the integration of solar energy and battery storage.
Key Facts
- The planned power plant will use 35 turbines to generate 7.65 gigawatts of power.
- A state permit allows for 33 million tons of annual carbon dioxide emissions.
- The project is currently off-grid to avoid impacting local consumer electricity rates.
- Construction has begun on three data center buildings at the GW Ranch site.
- Amazon claims the project will create thousands of new jobs in the region.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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