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Amazon to build 7.65 GW gas plant in Texas for AI data centers
Amazon is developing a massive natural gas power plant, known as GW Ranch, in Pecos County, Texas, to provide dedicated electricity for its artificial intelligence data center campus. Developed by Pacifico Energy, the facility is planned to feature 35 gas turbines with a total capacity of up to 7.65 gigawatts.
To avoid impacting local residential electricity costs, the plant is intended to operate independently of the public electrical grid. However, the project has drawn significant environmental scrutiny. A Texas air permit authorizes the facility to emit up to 33 million tons of CO2 annually, a figure that would make it one of the largest individual sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States if reached.
This move comes as the rapid expansion of AI increases energy demand, placing strain on existing infrastructure. While Amazon maintains its commitment to its 2040 net-zero goal under The Climate Pledge, the company has acknowledged that the surge in AI data centers complicates these climate objectives. Amazon's corporate emissions rose by 16 percent last year.
Entities
Amazon · Cleanview · GW Ranch · Pacifico Energy · Pecos County · Texas · Texas Commission on Environmental Quality · The New York Times
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Construction of the plant is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026. www.etailment.de · mashable.com
- [● 12 SOURCES] Amazon is building a natural gas power plant in Pecos County, Texas, to power its AI data centers. emmepress.com · www.krone.at · www.etailment.de · www.smartphonology.it · kulturegeek.fr · +7 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] High energy demand and volatility in AI data centers can damage batteries, generators, and cooling systems. emmepress.com
- [DISPUTED] The power plant is intended to operate independently of the public electrical grid. www.krone.at · www.smartphonology.it · kulturegeek.fr · www.punto-informatico.it · www.merkur.de · +2 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The facility is authorized to emit up to 33 million tons of CO2 annually. www.smartphonology.it · kulturegeek.fr · mashable.com · www.punto-informatico.it · www.merkur.de · +4 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The power plant is expected to have a capacity of up to 7.65 gigawatts. www.krone.at · www.etailment.de · www.smartphonology.it · kulturegeek.fr · www.merkur.de · +2 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Amazon's corporate emissions increased by 16 percent last year. kulturegeek.fr · www.punto-informatico.it · www.merkur.de · elperiodicodelaenergia.com · www.24matins.fr · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The GW Ranch power plant is planned to feature 35 gas turbines. www.krone.at · www.etailment.de · www.smartphonology.it · kulturegeek.fr · www.merkur.de · +2 more