ECL Secures Site for 1 GW Hydrogen-Powered Data Center in Houston
Key Ideas
- ECL has secured a site near Houston, Texas, for the development of a 1 GW off-grid hydrogen-powered AI data center called TerraSite-TX1.
- The project, with an estimated cost of US$8 billion, will be delivered in phases, starting with a 50 MW portion in 2025, costing around US$450 million.
- The facility, powered by hydrogen from three pipelines, aims to meet the growing demand for data centers and AI in Texas and may expand to 2 GW based on customer needs.
- ERCOT predicts a nearly doubled power grid requirement by 2030, driven by the increasing presence of data centers and AI, highlighting the significance of projects like TerraSite-TX1.
ECL, a US data center solution company, has finalized a location for its ambitious TerraSite-TX1 project, a groundbreaking 1 GW off-grid data center driven by hydrogen. Situated near Houston, Texas, this AI-focused facility will utilize hydrogen supplied through three dedicated pipelines converging at TerraSite1, streamlining fuel logistics and operating independently from the state grid. With an estimated investment of US$8 billion, the project will unfold in stages, commencing with a 50 MW segment slated for completion in 2025 at a cost of around US$450 million. The scalable nature of the project allows for future expansion up to 2 GW to meet rising market demands. As Texas braces for a surge in power needs by 2030, largely attributed to data centers and AI growth, the establishment of TerraSite-TX1 presents a strategic response to the imminent energy demand. The adoption of hydrogen as a primary power source underscores a sustainable approach in catering to the evolving technological landscape, making the project a significant player in Texas' energy sector.