Microsoft is set to build a new datacentre campus in Pecos, Texas, US, expanding its worldwide capacity by nearly 2GW.
The datacentre investment over the next five to seven years is intended to address growing demand for AI and cloud services from a range of customers, including startups, government bodies, healthcare providers, and educational institutions.
Access deeper industry intelligence
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
The Pecos datacentre campus will generate over 6,000 construction jobs at peak activity and is expected to create hundreds of permanent operational positions once live.
According to Microsoft, this expansion represents a substantial investment in West Texas, supporting both the local workforce and the region’s economy.
The company has stated that the project will entail the development of dedicated onsite energy facilities to power the new datacentre.
Microsoft will fund both the generation and supporting infrastructure required, aiming to deliver capacity at the rate required by its customers while minimising strain on existing local energy resources.
At launch, the campus will include a co-located natural gas power facility operating independently of the public grid. The facility will use emissions controls such as Selective Catalytic Reduction systems to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
Over time, the intention is to connect the facility to the broader regional energy system in collaboration with utilities and local authorities.
Water conservation is also a focus, with Microsoft planning to use closed loop cooling systems to limit water use and deploy nonpotable water where possible.
The company’s stated aim is to keep the site’s total lifecycle water usage to a fraction of what is used annually by a typical fast-food restaurant.
Microsoft has said its approach will include local hiring initiatives and partnerships with educational institutions aimed at preparing residents for jobs related to the datacentre industry.
