Amazon to finance huge US gas plant for data centres

Amazon is financing a massive, private gas power plant in Texas that could become the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Cleanview, a market intelligence company, discovered this through satellite imagery. The plant, known as GW Ranch and being developed by Pacifico Energy, is designed to generate 7.65 gigawatts of power, surpassing any gas plant currently operating in the U.S. The Pecos County plant is expected to emit over 30 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gases annually, far exceeding any other single source in the country.

Amazon claims this move will prevent increased electricity costs for American families while they build a new data centre campus in Pecos County. The company also plans to explore solar energy and battery storage options, and will utilize non-potable brackish groundwater to avoid watershed pressure. Amazon remains committed to The Climate Pledge, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, and has already supported 40 carbon-free energy projects totaling nearly 10 gigawatts in Texas.

This gas power plant project is not alone; behind-the-meter power generation is becoming a more common practice among tech giants. Companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle are also planning similar projects, which could result in a significant increase in carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the annual output of over 45 million cars or Pakistan's total carbon output.

While gas power plants are less polluting than coal, they still contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and methane leaks, along with other hazardous air pollutants.