Project Kilby: 2.67GW AI Data Center Campus
Status: Groundbroken / Under Construction | Location: West Texas (Permian Basin)
Project Overview
Project Kilby represents a paradigm shift in digital infrastructure, serving as one of the largest single capacity additions in the history of global cloud computing. Launched in June 2026, this massive development in Pecos, West Texas, is specifically designed to address the severe power grid constraints holding back the artificial intelligence revolution. By deploying an innovative "behind-the-meter" architecture, the campus eliminates reliance on local utilities, drawing dedicated electricity directly from an on-site power generation facility. This ensures unmatched operational reliability and rapid deployment timelines for highly dense, GPU-heavy AI training and inference workloads. Beyond its staggering technological scale, Project Kilby is engineered around deep sustainability initiatives and regional economic uplift. To mitigate the heavy environmental footprint typical of large-scale computer clusters, the facility implements next-generation closed-loop cooling systems. This design drastically reduces water consumption, requiring only an initial fluid charge with zero additional freshwater consumption during steady-state operations. Economically, the multi-billion-dollar investment acts as a vital driver for the West Texas region, projected to support over 6,000 construction jobs at peak build-out and create hundreds of long-term, highly technical operational roles upon completion.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Project Kilby: 2.67GW AI Data Center Campus |
| Location | West Texas (Permian Basin) |
| Status | Groundbroken / Under Construction |
| Commissioning | 2028 (Phase 1) |
| Total IT Load | 2,000 MW (2.0 GW) |
| Total Capacity | 2,670 MW (2.67 GW co-located power facility) |
| Tier Level | Tier III / Tier IV Hybrid Architecture |
| Project Type | Hyperscale AI Data Center & Co-located Power Plant |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Pecos |
| Population | Approximately 12,500 (2020 U.S. Census) |
| Urban Agglomeration | Approximately 15,000 |
| City GDP | Not officially reported at the city level; the local economy is driven primarily by oil & gas, logistics, agriculture, and related services within the Permian Basin region. |
| Per Capita Income | Approximately USD 27,000–30,000 per year |
| City Tier | Tier 3 – Regional Energy & Logistics Hub |
| Key Strengths | Strategic location in the Permian Basin |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Developer / Operator | Microsoft Corporation |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Energy Forge One LLC (Subsidiary of Chevron Corporation) & Engine No. 1 |
| Construction Contractor | Bechtel / Turner Construction Joint Venture (Indicative Tier-1) |
| MEP Engineering | GE Vernova & Solar Turbines (Caterpillar Inc. subsidiary) |
| Network Connectivity | Multiple redundant dark fiber paths linking to major Texas internet exchanges |
| Power Infrastructure | Co-located 2.67 GW natural gas plant featuring GE Vernova high-efficiency gas turbines |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | 2.67 GW total generation |
| UPS Redundancy | Distributed Redundant (N+1) / Block Redundant configuration |
| Cooling System | Closed-loop air/liquid hybrid cooling systems (No continuous water consumption) |
| Connectivity | Carrier-neutral, ultra-low latency fiber backbone |
| PUE Target | < 1.15 |
| Energy Mix | High-efficiency Natural Gas with SCR controls (Transitioning to integrated renewables/grid mix post-2030) |
Milestones
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| Announcement | June 22, 2026 |
| Construction Start | Q3 2026 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Q4 2028 |
| Full Buildout | 2033 |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
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| Total Investment | $12 Billion USD (Estimated multi-billion phased deployment) |
| Funding | 100% Privately funded by Microsoft Corporation |