The $4.2 billion Temple data center campus by Rowan Digital Infrastructure is making progress in Temple’s approval process. This comes even as community members continue to raise concerns about electricity consumption and water usage. As a result, the three-project development – Project Temple, Project Stampede and Project Ranger – will generate significant private investment, construction employment and tax revenue for the region. The $4.2 billion Rowan Temple data center is a significant increase from the initial $300 million campus proposal in 2021. In the meantime, Texas communities are increasingly questioning large data center projects regarding grid reliability and resource impacts.
Rowan’s $4.2 billion Temple data center is made up of six buildings in the Synergy Southeast Industrial Park industrial area. In particular, five buildings have been approved or are being built, and the sixth building, Lasso, is in the final stages of city approval. So, Project Temple has three buildings at $2.1 billion, Project Stampede has two buildings at $1.4 billion, and Project Ranger has one building at $700 million minimum investment per building.
Other Projects
Various projects are also making headway across the US with OpenAI’s Project Camellia facing significant pushback from the community. Community members aim to challenge government officials and community activists regarding the implications of the huge facility. The town hall will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Mars Theatre in Springfield. Specifically, the expected energy consumption at the facility and also the Georgia Public Service Commission regulation of Georgia Power contracts are discussed.
Rowan Temple Data Center tackles water and power issues with infrastructure commitments.
The $4.2 billion Rowan Temple data center will be cooled by air-chilled, closed-loop systems that reduce the need for constant water use. In particular, 1 million to 2 million gallons are needed to fill each facility, and closed-loop systems are expected to circulate for 10 to 15 years before recharging. In addition, the city estimates that it uses about 4,000 gallons per day per facility for water use for employees, cleaning, and restrooms.
Rowan agreed to pay for the city’s Synergy aquifer storage and recovery well and to pay about 45% of Temple’s $71.1 million South Temple Water Infrastructure Capital Program, which is about $32 million. Additionally, the $4.2 billion Rowan Temple data center adheres to the company’s “water positive” commitment with additional water-related partnerships expected to be announced.
Rowan Temple Data Center Solves Texas Grid Capacity and Ratepayer Issues
As data centers become Texas’s biggest new power consumers, electricity is the top worry. In particular, more than 70 percent of ERCOT’s 233-gigawatt interconnection queue is data center projects. The $4.2 billion Rowan Temple data center, therefore, had to be part of ERCOT’s new “Batch Zero” review process for large loads of more than 75 megawatts.
Patrick Dillow, Rowan’s vice president of energy and water, confirmed the company is a White House Ratepayer Protection Pledge signatory. In addition, the $4.2 billion Rowan Temple data center will be self-powered and self-reliant, with less than two miles of net new transmission construction across all three projects because of the proximity to existing power plants.
Project Overview
- Project Name: Rowan Temple Data Center Campus
- Project Value: $4.2 Billion
- Location: Synergy Southeast Industrial Park, Temple, Texas
- Developer: Rowan Digital Infrastructure
- Status: Six buildings approved or under construction, final approvals ongoing
Scope
- Project Temple: 3 buildings, $2.1 billion
- Project Stampede: 2 buildings, $1.4 billion
- Project Ranger: 1 building, $700 million
- Air-chilled, closed-loop cooling systems
- 1,500-2,000 construction jobs
- Minimum 120 permanent positions
Project Highlights
- $4.2 billion private investment in Temple
- 50% property tax abatement for 10 years (city/county only)
- $45+ million annual tax revenue once built out
- Closed-loop water systems minimizing consumption
- <2 miles net new transmission construction needed
- Lease-based model for hyperscale customers
Key Developments
- Project Temple first two buildings approved 2025
- Project Stampede two buildings approved early 2026
- Project Ranger one building approved spring 2026
- Lasso Building (Project Temple 3) in final city approval
- City developing new data center development standards
- ERCOT Batch Zero conditional approval process underway
Key Challenges
- Community concerns about water availability and usage
- Electricity demand impacts on Texas grid reliability
- Noise mitigation requirements for residential proximity
- Also construction traffic management on local roads
- Cumulative data center development effects
- Governor Abbott’s data center verification audit requirements
Outlook
- Lasso Building city council final reading September 17, 2026
- Broader data center development regulations anticipated
- Rowan committed to long-term facility ownership
- Multiple hyperscale customers expected (Google, Microsoft, Meta, AWS)
- Also, community investment through Community Catalyst Program continuing
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