The development of the 900MW Apollo data center by Cipher is on track thanks to the acquisition of a new site outside San Antonio, Texas. The firm is now in the early phases of grid review, transitioning its focus to building large-scale AI infrastructure. Cipher and local utility companies are now working together to determine what will occur next.

The recent land acquisition provided the company a chance to get the most favorable fiber connectivity. The proposed project site is a 288 acre flat build-out site within 25 miles of the city. It is also intended as a high-capacity offering, to support large power loads for hyperscale customers.

This was the first time the former cryptomining firm announced plans for this Apollo site in its recent business update for Q2 2026. Cipher recently applied as a studied load in Batch Zero via ERCOT’s new grid process. The project is also designed to help build a solid track record of disciplined execution throughout the region.

Insight into the Apollo Data Center by Cipher

The Apollo data center by Cipher has been touted as a very scalable facility. Furthermore, it is deemed to have the ability to help meet the increasing demand for large-scale AI and hyperscale workloads. This is based on the insights gained after quickly winning over the new Cipher data center campus site option.

The group has already had some successes with deliveries elsewhere and will take advantage of its quick speed of delivery on this massive Texas site. The power application will also be submitted to the grid operator for review as part of ERCOT’s detailed load study process. The project comes after a recent trend, with Amazon Web Services delivering 300MW capacity at an alternate site two months ahead of time.

“This fast-time delivery is a testament to our ability to deliver at scale, quickly and without compromising in a difficult environment,” Cipher CEO Tyler Page stated. While the company continues to shift away from cryptomining activities, the development has spurred forward with a clear statement that its development pipeline is now more than 5GW across all of its developments.

Project Overview

• Project Value: Part of 5GW development pipeline
• Location: Near San Antonio, Texas
• Developer: Cipher
• Status: Site option secured, ERCOT review pending

Scope

• New 900MW data center facility
• 288-acre project site
• Also proximity to San Antonio fiber networks
• Large-scale infrastructure for AI and hyperscale

Project Highlights

• 900MW capacity targeted
• Flat, buildable terrain utilized for large-scale development
• Also application submitted to ERCOT Batch Zero
• Spurred by prior HPC capacity delivered ahead of schedule

Key Developments

• Option for the Apollo site acquired
• Studied load application officially filed
• Separate 300MW Black Pearl site leased to AWS
• Company officially pivoting away from cryptomining

Key Challenges

• Pending ERCOT grid approvals
• Navigating challenging market environments
• Also managing expansive 5GW execution
• Also negative $30M Adjusted EBITDA reported in Q2 2026

Outlook

• Project awaits ERCOT power load decision
• Strategic shift to AI likely to continue
• Accelerated site deliveries depend on disciplined execution
• Also Texas hyperscale development plans remain highly active