ECL Announces World’s First 1 Gigawatt Off-Grid, Hydrogen-Powered AI Factory Data Center in Texas
Key Ideas
- ECL announced plans to build the world's first fully sustainable 1GW AI Factory data center near Houston, Texas with a focus on zero-emissions and hydrogen-powered operations.
- The data center will offer 50MW of capacity in its initial phase with a total estimated cost of $8B for the entire 1GW site, funded by ECL and financial partners.
- ECL's innovative technology includes the ECL-MV1, the world's first off-grid, hydrogen-powered modular data center with significant energy efficiency and water replenishment features.
- The project aims to address the growing electricity consumption of AI technologies and offers fast deployment, high flexibility, and environmental sustainability in data center operations.
ECL, a pioneer in Data Center-as-a-Service, has unveiled plans for the ECL TerraSite-TX1, the world’s first 1 Gigawatt off-grid, hydrogen-powered AI Factory data center. Located on a 600+ acre site near Houston, Texas, the project aims to cater to the needs of AI leaders like Lambda while focusing on innovation and sustainability, with zero emissions as a key feature. With an initial phase set to be delivered in the summer of 2025 at a cost of $450M, the data center will ultimately cost around $8B for the 1GW site. Hydrogen will be supplied via pipelines to ensure operational efficiency without additional fuel transportation needs. The facility is designed to meet the increasing electricity demands of AI, offering a solution that minimizes environmental impact and promotes eco-conscious AI advancement. With a strong emphasis on energy efficiency, water replenishment, and modularity, ECL's project sets a new standard in data center development and operations. By addressing both the operational needs of AI technologies and environmental concerns, ECL's initiative in Texas signifies a significant step towards a more sustainable and efficient future in the data center industry.