Developers of the first Stargate data center in Abilene, Texas, have submitted an application to site a natural gas plant with the data center, according to public filings.
The filings, reported first by Business Insider, revealed that the plant, when operational, could provide the data center with up to 360.5MW of power. According to the filing, the plant's development is expected to cost up to $500 million.
The Stargate project, announced last week, is a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and investment firm MGX. The partners have committed to investing up to $500 billion into artificial intelligence infrastructure over the next four years. According to the companies, of the total investment, $100bn will be deployed 'immediately,' although the reality remains murky.
The applications were filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality by a consulting firm working with AI data center developer Crusoe, the owner of Project Ludicrous, widely touted as the first Stargate location. The site included in the permit shares an address with Project Ludicrous.
The application to permit ten simple-cycle natural gas turbines under Title V of the Clean Air Act is currently under review.
The application indicates that the turbines will provide "primary and backup power" for "data centers and computing.”
The turbines will be “onsite only,” according to the filings, with the power plant directly powering the data center.
According to reports, GE Vernova will supply half of the turbines, and Solar Turbines, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., will supply the other half.
In addition, a permit for diesel generators at the site has already been accepted.
This news follows reports that solar and batteries will form part of the project's energy solution. At least some power will come from SoftBank subsidiary SB Energy, which develops solar and battery solutions.
Off-grid natural gas is becoming increasingly popular, with data center developers seeking scalable and dispatchable power. As a result, states like Texas have become hotbeds of activity, with several data center firms signing supply agreements with natural gas suppliers.
Last week, New Era Helium and Sharon AI finalized a joint venture to fund, develop, and construct a 250MW off-grid natural gas-powered data center in the Permian Basin, West Texas, US.
