Susana Schwartz
The massive 7.65 GW Ranch in Pecos County is the largest permitted data center campus in the U.S. The 8,000+ acre off-grid power generation site is designed for high-density AI data centers, signifying a bigger shift toward bring-your-own-power (BYOP). With this private, on-site energy infrastructure project, Pacifico Energy bypasses grid constraints by securing permits for natural gas turbines, solar, and battery storage (as opposed to putting pressure on the ERCOT grid). Not insignificant are the environmental and public health concerns, as this project represents the largest air pollution permit ever issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). So far, it is authorized to emit up to 33 million tons of greenhouse gases annually—roughly equivalent to the emissions of eight coal-fired power plants (equivalent of nearly 5% of Canada’s total annual emissions). The first phase is scheduled for H1 2027, with 1 GW online in 2028, and full buildout (5+ GW) completed by 2030-2031. RCRTech will continue to follow the evolution of this and other “BYOP” initiatives.
Susana Schwartz
Technology Editor
RCRTech
AI Infrastructure Top Stories
Advantest rises on AI tide: AI infrastructure investment continues to boost test suppliers, like Tokyo-based Nvidia supplier Advantest, which reported a profit of 78.7 billion yen ($515 million) in three months to Dec, 31 (U.K. fiscal year).
Nokia optical and IP sales: Nokia is holding steady with its ‘long-term’ AI infrastructure play, with longhaul/backhaul optical orders jumping 17% in Q4, and growth in data center IP routing and switching for hyperscaler and AI customers.
APAC subsea connectivity: TPN is deploying Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme and RLS platforms to boost capacity, efficiency, and resiliency across the Echo and Tabua subsea cable systems.
AI Today: What You Need to Know
Palantir’s Chain Reaction: For the first time in two years, Palantir shares are not rallying into a quarterly earnings report, despite an expected surge in AI-focused government and commercial initiatives, including with Nvidia and the Navy.
Oracle seeks $45-50B: Oracle expects to raise AI infrastructure money through a combination of debt and equity, already contracting with Nvidia, Meta Platforms, TikTok, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, xAI and AMD.
Kenya’s 1st chipmaker in crossfire: Semiconductor Technologies Limited’s thin-film lithography machine, “Ol Borana,” initially thrived under Washington’s ‘friend-shoring’ strategy, but now is being pushed aside by “America First” imperative.
Goldman Sachs thrives in AI: Goldman Sachs has become the Dow’s AI infrastructure “powerhouse,” with a 56% surge in 2025. CEO David Solomon expects 2026 to be a year of growth, driven largely by investments in data centers.
Gray Oak launches: Backed by global investment firm Denham Capital, Gray Oak Power is launching in the U.S. with a focus on enabling data center developers to bypass multi-year grid-connection timelines by bringing baseload power on-site.
7.65 GW ‘GW Ranch’: The largest permitted power campus for AI Data Centers intends to create a private electricity grid for data centers, but critics say the 8,000-acre site in Peco County Texas will create massive greenhouse gas emissions.
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