Pacifico Energy Secures Historic 7.65 GW Permit for GW Ranch AI Power Campus
Pacifico Energy, a leading developer of next-generation energy infrastructure, today announced a major milestone for its GW Ranch project, a private-grid power generation campus in West Texas designed to serve hyperscale data centers and the rapidly growing artificial intelligence (AI) industry.
GW Ranch has officially received its Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) air permit for 7.65 gigawatts (GW) of gas-fired power generation, marking the largest permit ever granted in the United States. This significant regulatory achievement allows Pacifico Energy to move forward with construction and operation under strict state and federal air quality standards. The approval not only validates Pacifico’s comprehensive emissions-control strategy but also represents a crucial step toward full commercial operation, positioning GW Ranch as a cornerstone of America’s AI infrastructure.
A Partner-Ready Platform for Hyperscale Energy Demand
With the TCEQ permit in hand, GW Ranch now stands as a fully partner-ready energy platform, offering multi-phase capacity and operational flexibility to meet the scale of hyperscale data centers. This milestone demonstrates Pacifico Energy’s commitment to providing energy solutions that combine reliability, regulatory certainty, and sustainability. GW Ranch is uniquely designed to accommodate multi-GW loads, making it one of the nation’s most significant private power generation projects in modern history.
Nate Franklin, CEO of Pacifico Energy Group, emphasized the strategic importance of this achievement: “We’re really excited to reach this precedent-setting milestone at GW Ranch. As Texas continues to solidify its position as a leading market for data center expansion, this 7.65 GW TCEQ air permit underscores our ability to deliver the scale, speed, and regulatory certainty that hyperscale and other large-load customers require. This project reflects our forward-thinking approach to building energy infrastructure that meets the demands of tomorrow.”
Protecting Ratepayers While Meeting AI Demand
Amid rising electricity prices nationwide and increasing pressure on regional grids from large-scale data center loads, Pacifico Energy has intentionally designed GW Ranch to protect local ratepayers. By developing a private-grid system that integrates natural gas turbines, solar power, and battery energy storage, GW Ranch delivers substantial new capacity without placing additional strain on existing utility networks. This approach ensures rapid deployment of AI and digital infrastructure while mitigating the risk of higher energy costs for Texas consumers.
Constantyn Gieskes, Vice President of Project Development at Pacifico Energy, highlighted the project’s significance: “Receiving TCEQ approval for the largest power project in the United States is a defining milestone for GW Ranch. This approval clears a critical path for delivering reliable, large-scale power at a time when the market urgently needs it. With all site delineations complete, permits secured, and turbines ready, GW Ranch is on track to supply power to customers in the first half of 2027, with a guaranteed pathway to scale beyond 5 GW.”
A Fully Permitted Power Campus for AI and Digital Growth
GW Ranch is now the largest fully permitted power-for-AI campus in the United States. Located in Pecos County, Texas, the project encompasses over 8,000 acres of build-ready land, with room for future expansion to support growing energy demands. The campus combines 7.65 GW of gas-fired generation with 1.8 GW of battery energy storage and 750 MWac of solar power, creating a flexible and resilient energy ecosystem capable of meeting the high reliability requirements of hyperscale data centers.
The gas supply for GW Ranch is designed for maximum security and optionality, featuring multiple pipeline laterals, including a dedicated 15-mile, 1 billion cubic feet per day (BCF/d) pipeline directly connected to Waha, one of West Texas’ key gas hubs. This infrastructure ensures that the project has unmatched fuel flexibility and reliability, further enhancing its appeal to large-scale customers.
Phase 1 of the project is slated for 1 GW of capacity, with first power expected in the first half of 2027. Beyond this initial phase, GW Ranch offers a clear roadmap for expansion to its full 7.65 GW capacity, providing a scalable solution for the data-intensive needs of AI and other digital industries.
Driving Economic Growth and Innovation
Beyond its technical and operational significance, GW Ranch is poised to deliver meaningful economic benefits to the region. By bringing a combination of construction, engineering, and operations jobs to West Texas, the project will support local communities and industries while strengthening the state’s position as a hub for energy innovation. The campus is being developed with a strong focus on sustainable practices, reflecting Pacifico Energy’s commitment to responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
“GW Ranch is more than just a power generation project; it’s an enabler of innovation and a driver of economic growth,” said Franklin. “By combining large-scale gas, solar, and storage capabilities within a private-grid framework, we can meet the needs of AI developers and digital infrastructure providers while ensuring stability and affordability for the broader energy market.”
Key Highlights of GW Ranch:
- Total Gross Capacity: 7.65 GW (Gas) + 1.8 GW Battery Energy Storage + 750 MWac Solar
- Location: Pecos County, Texas
- Availability: >99.99% reliability
- Acreage: 8,000+ build-ready acres with space for future expansion
- Gas Supply: Multiple pipeline laterals including a 15-mile, 1 BCF/d direct line to Waha
- Phase 1 Gross Capacity: 1 GW
- Phase 1 First Power: First half of 2027
With this historic TCEQ permit, GW Ranch is set to become a national benchmark for large-scale, AI-focused energy infrastructure. The project underscores the growing importance of Texas as a leading energy and technology hub and reinforces the U.S.’s global leadership in AI development.
Pacifico Energy continues to demonstrate that it is not only building power generation capacity at unprecedented scale but also shaping the future of energy delivery for digital innovation. By combining regulatory foresight, technological integration, and a commitment to sustainability, GW Ranch represents the next generation of private energy campuses capable of supporting America’s digital and AI economy for decades to come.
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