Pacifico Energy has secured a landmark regulatory approval in Texas for GW Ranch, clearing the way for construction of what is now the largest permitted data center power campus in the United States and cementing West Texas as a critical hub for the nation’s rapidly expanding AI and digital infrastructure economy.

State regulators have granted an air-quality permit for Pacifico’s GW Ranch project in Pecos County, authorizing up to 7.65 gigawatts of gas-fired power generation. Issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the approval represents the largest power-generation air permit ever granted in the country and satisfies both state and federal environmental requirements.

It is a significant win for GW Ranch, allowing the full construction and operation of a privately operated energy campus, specifically designed to serve hyperscale data centers and other high-load computing facilities. This project can finally progress from development to execution, as the key environmental permits are in hand.

GW Ranch is being developed as a self-contained energy system, rather than a grid-connected system. GW Ranch combines large-scale natural gas generation and battery and solar capacity in order to provide highly reliable energy to customers directly, without adding strain to the Texas grid. According to the developers, this system has been developed in order to support the rapid growth of AI and digital development in the region, while protecting consumers from increasing electricity costs.

Capacity

At full buildout, the project is planned to include 7.65 GW of gas generation, 1.8 GW of battery energy storage, and 750 MW of solar, spread across more than 8,000 acres of build-ready land with room for expansion. The site is supported by multiple natural gas supply connections, including a dedicated high-capacity pipeline linking directly to the Waha Hub, one of North America’s most significant gas markets.

With permitting complete and key site and equipment preparations finalized, Pacifico expects the project’s first 1-GW phase to begin delivering power in the first half of 2027, with a defined pathway to scale well beyond that level as customer demand grows.

Surging electricity demand

Surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and advanced manufacturing is driving sectors to seek dedicated, large-scale power solutions that deliver quickly and with regulatory certainty. Industry observers see GW Ranch as a bellwether for how developers will build future energy infrastructure to support next-generation data centers.

Local and regional leaders also highlight the project’s economic impact, noting that long-term investment, construction activity, and ongoing operations will create jobs, spur regional growth, and reinforce Texas’s position as a national leader in energy development.

With construction now authorized, GW Ranch stands as the largest fully permitted power campus in the U.S. built specifically for data center and AI demand, highlighting how infrastructure investment in West Texas is reshaping both the energy sector and the future of digital innovation.

GW Ranch Project Factsheet

Project Overview

GW Ranch is a private-grid power generation campus in West Texas designed specifically for hyperscale data centers and AI infrastructure, developed by Pacifico Energy.

Key Milestone

Largest Air Permit in U.S. History

Received Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) air permit for 7.65 GW of gas-fired power generation

Largest air permit ever granted in the United States

Authorizes construction and operation under state and federal air-quality requirements

Major permitting now complete, making the project partner-ready

Technical Specifications

Total Capacity

Gas-fired generation: 7.65 GW

Battery Energy Storage: 1.8 GW

Solar: 750 MWac

Total capacity: 10.2 GW combined

Location & Infrastructure

Site: Pecos County, West Texas

Land: 8,000+ acres build-ready with room for future expansion

Availability: Up to 99.99%

Gas Supply

Multiple lateral connections

15-mile, 1 BCF/d direct pipeline to Waha hub

Provides exceptional gas supply optionality and reliability

GW Ranch: Phase 1

Capacity: 1 GW gross

First Power Delivery: First half of 2027 (H1-2027)

Guaranteed scale pathway: Over 5 GW

Strategic Advantages

Ratepayer Protection

Private-grid design isolates project from public electricity grid

Prevents impact on regional grid infrastructure

Protects Texas ratepayers from increased energy costs

Enables AI/data center growth without burdening existing grid

Regulatory Certainty

All major permits secured

Site delineations complete

Turbines already secured

Emissions-control strategy validated by TCEQ

Market Position

Largest fully permitted power-for-AI data center campus in the United States

Purpose-built for hyperscale demand

Multi-phase expansion capability

Operational flexibility for large-load customers

Energy Mix Strategy

Hybrid approach combining:

Natural gas turbines (baseload/dispatchable power)

Solar generation (renewable energy)

Battery storage (grid stability and peak demand)

Economic & Strategic Impact

Drives economic growth in West Texas

Supports local industries

Strengthens U.S. position in AI innovation

Strong local community support

Sustainable development focus