Developers of the first Project Stargate data center in Abilene, Texas have filed permits to construct a natural gas power plant on-site, according to public documents. The planned facility would have a capacity of 360.5 megawatts, enough to power approximately 90,000 Texas homes.

The natural gas turbines are intended to provide both primary and backup power for the data center. However, this capacity represents only a fraction of the estimated 5 gigawatts of power that each Stargate site may ultimately require. The remainder of the power needs are expected to be met through grid connections and renewable energy sources.

This development highlights the massive energy demands of advanced AI infrastructure and data centers. The Department of Energy projects that data center electricity usage in the U.S. could triple by 2028, driven largely by the rapid growth of AI technologies.

The Stargate project, a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, aims to invest $500 billion in AI infrastructure across the United States. The inclusion of on-site power generation indicates the scale of the power requirements for these facilities, as well as potential concerns about grid capacity and reliability.

While the natural gas plant will provide a stable power source, it also raises questions about the carbon footprint of AI development. This comes at a time of increased scrutiny on the environmental impact of data centers and AI training.

The energy-intensive nature of AI infrastructure presents both challenges and opportunities for the power sector. As demand for AI capabilities grows, so too will the need for reliable, scalable, and ideally clean energy solutions to support these technologies.