Amazon confirmed Friday it is financially supporting a large private natural gas power plant in Texas that could become the top single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. This marks another case of technology companies seeking independent power to speed up artificial intelligence operations.
Market intelligence firm Cleanview first reported the story after using satellite imagery to link three new Amazon data center permits to the GW Ranch gas plant developed by Pacifico Energy.
Earlier permits show the facility would include 35 turbines and produce 7.65 gigawatts, exceeding any current US gas plant. A larger 9.2-gigawatt project is planned in Ohio with SoftBank involvement and grid connection.
The Pecos County plant could emit more than 30 million metric tons of greenhouse gases yearly, though actual output is often lower than permitted levels.
Amazon said self-generated power avoids passing costs to consumers facing higher bills from AI infrastructure. A spokesperson noted the company pays full costs for its operations and the new campus uses on-site generation without raising Texas electricity rates. The firm plans to connect to the grid later and is exploring solar energy plus battery storage while using non-potable groundwater.
Amazon reaffirmed its net-zero emissions target by 2040 and cited 40 prior carbon-free projects totaling nearly 10 gigawatts in Texas.
Behind-the-meter power projects, once rare, are now pursued by hyperscalers including Meta, Microsoft and Oracle. These plants often rely on less efficient equipment than utility standards and emit particulates, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants alongside carbon and methane.
