Microsoft and Chevron are planning one of the largest gas-fired data center projects in the United States

Microsoft and Chevron on Monday announced plans to develop a 2.67 gigawatt natural gas-fired power plant in West Texas to serve the technology company’s cloud data and artificial intelligence centers.

Under a 20-year power purchase agreement, the plant will provide electricity for a data center operated by Microsoft. Two large GE Vernova turbines will generate most of the power, while Caterpillar’s Solar Turbines will provide the rest. (Solar turbines may sound familiar; xAI uses them in their name.) Unlicensed power station near Memphis.) Microsoft will purchase energy from the power plant for 20 years.

Chevron said in a press release that the project will be “among the largest natural gas power and data center development projects in the United States.” press release.

Although Microsoft was Send a telegram for the move Months ago, this was still a major shift for a company that had been vocal about its sustainability efforts. Microsoft has pledged to eliminate carbon emissions by 2030, a goal that will be difficult to achieve with this new power plant.

The Kilby Project, as the power station is known, would potentially release more than 13 million tons of carbon dioxide, and 3,200 tons of carbon dioxide. Air pollutant standardsAnd 278 thousand pounds Hazardous air pollutants, According to Environmental Integrity Project.