More details have emerged around Cipher Digital’s planned data center development outside Waco, Texas.

Local press, including Kxxv, reports the company, which is pivoting from cryptomining to AI and HPC data centers, is looking to develop near Riesel in McLennan County.

Cipher told Kxxv the company has acquired a large area of land near the Sandy Creek Power Plant. The company said it is still finalizing building plans, which will depend on the end user.

Precinct 2 Commissioner D.L. Wilson confirmed that Cipher Digital has approached him about a proposed data center project in the area.

“I have recently been approached by Cipher Digital regarding a proposed data center project near Riesel,” he said.

Wilson noted that while he opposes data centers in McLennan County, Texas law gives county commissioners little authority to prevent such developments from moving forward.

Cipher is yet to bring its plans to the commissioners' court, but is looking to hold a town hall meeting about its plans.

Cipher has previously mentioned plans for a 500MW development in McLennan, with few further details. But, according to the company’s most recent investor presentation, land for the project is secured and will be energized around 2028.

Work on the 932MW Sandy Creek Generating Station started in 2008. The plant entered operation in 2012/2013, burning low-sulfur sub-bituminous coal for power. The plant, however, is due to be offline until 2027 due to a failure.

Previously known as Cipher Mining before rebranding and pivoting away from cryptomining towards large-scale data center sites for AI and hyperscale customers, Cipher Digital has multiple projects in planning and development across Texas.

Tenants secured by Cipher include AWS and Fluidstack (backed by Google).