February 25, 2026

Peter Cook, Editor

Wow.  All the big players are signing an agreement to bring their own power for AI data centers!  I think we’re going to need a bigger venue for the Permian Power Connection Conference.

 

We’re trying to keep you updated on all the big news from the industry.  That being the case, we have to let you know that Chevron and Atlas Energy Solutions are both back as Platinum Sponsors for the 2nd Annual Permian Power Connection Conference!  Check the link to see the ever-growing list of speakers and sponsors.  Are you on there?  If not, reply to this email and let’s get a discussion going!

 

Speaking of sponsors, thanks to the generosity of our Platinum Sponsors we have a handful of free conference registrations available for data center operators and large data center tenants!  If you are in either category and would be interested in a free registration for yourself or a colleague, please email Pete Cook (pete@the-power-connection.com) to see if there are still any available!

 

If you will be attending the Federal Reserve of Dallas’ powering AI event next week, please let us know.  We’ll have a presence there and would love to catch up over a beverage!  Email Joseph Triepke (joseph@the-power-connection.com) to set up a time to chat.

 

And now, the news…

The Power Connection Digest Issue #45

Trump brings Big Tech to White House to curb power costs amid AI boom

Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, xAI, Oracle and OpenAI will sign agreement to build their own electricity supply for AI data centers

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2026: How the Permian Is Quietly Becoming One of America’s Most Strategic Data Center Regions

Jose Ortega: For decades, the Permian Basin has been America’s energy engine. In 2026, it’s starting to look like something else too: A data center platform where compute can scale because power can scale.

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This Daring Developer Wants to Power America’s AI Future

Nate Franklin, CEO of Pacifico Energy and speaker at the 2nd Annual Permian Power Connection Conference, has a grand plan to build the nation's largest electric power generating complex on 8,400 acres of flat West Texas scrub desert in desolate, sparsely populated Pecos County (14,000 people spread over 4,800 square miles).

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Atlas Energy Solutions Showcases Power in Year End Highlights

“Their earnings release this week highlighted power. Atlas is actively evaluating a robust power opportunity set representing more than 2 GW of potential opportunities and targeting approximately 500 MWs of power generation capacity deployed in 2027." Nice update from the latest Platinum Sponsor for the 2nd Annual Permian Power Connection Conference!

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Meta to deploy 366MW of modular gas units to power 1GW data center in El Paso, Texas

The 1GW project, which broke ground in October, would be powered by 813 modular generators, slated to come online by 2027. The units are expected to cost $473 million.

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Why Microsoft and Amazon Are Turning to Nuclear Power for AI

Instead of relying solely on renewable energy contracts or traditional grid access, which alienates communities by driving up utility bills, both companies are securing direct relationships with nuclear power generation.

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Elon: Chips Will be Waiting for Power

Data center owners and builders need to g𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵!

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‘Power Is a Drug Now’: Tech Giants Will Pay Anything for Faster Electricity

Big Tech doesn’t just want power; it needs it immediately. With grid interconnection timelines stretching five to 10 years, hyperscalers are turning to on-site generation, no matter the cost. “Time to Power” is the theme of the 2nd Annual Permian Power Connection Conference in Midland this June.

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Fermi America locks in $100M for high-voltage gear

The move underscores how developers are turning to private credit to navigate supply-chain bottlenecks and grid constraints.

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FiberLight Doubles Down on West Texas, Bringing AI Infrastructure Investment to Nearly $500 Million

This investment is in addition to the company's previously announced $150 million West Texas initiative, bringing FiberLight's total regional commitment to nearly half a billion dollars.

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Podcast: The Infrastructure of Intelligence: Inside Crusoe’s AI Factory in Texas

In this conversation they explore the physical reality behind today’s AI revolution. Why modern AI workloads demand entirely new infrastructure. How energy has become the primary bottleneck to scaling intelligence.

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Podcast: Speed to Power: Bridging the AI Energy Gap

Discussion about how power constraints have created an opportunity for APR Energy and other providers of onsite energy solutions. We also discuss how APR works with data center customers and the future outlook for onsite energy.

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Skybox Mega Data Hub Aims to Turns Wichita Falls into Tech Powerhouse

Skybox has bought a 225-acre tract inside the Wichita Falls Business Park and is branding the development as PowerCampus Texas, a multi phase complex that could ultimately span several hundred acres.

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Origis brings three 145MW solar projects online in Texas

Independent power producer Origis Energy has commissioned three 145MW Swift Air solar facilities in Ector County, Texas, to supply power to Occidental’s operations in West Texas.

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Big Tech Is Raiding the Energy Sector to Power the AI Boom

Tech firms are hiring energy specialists at a record pace to secure power supply and accelerate infrastructure buildout. Utilities risk talent shortages, potentially worsening grid constraints amid surging AI-driven electricity consumption.

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Texas Pacific Land targets data center and desalination growth while setting water sales record in Q4 2025

"With our industry-leading margins, our fortress balance sheet and a $500 million undrawn credit facility, not only can we tolerate periods of low commodity prices, we have considerable capability to invest opportunistically as we look to consolidate high-quality assets and expand market capture."

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Dallas Fed energy expert says data centers may boost oil and gas demand in Texas

“Data centers could be a tailwind for oil and gas,” Golding said. “Right now, the quickest way to get power is solar and battery storage. But when you need power 24/7, all roads lead to natural gas.”

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Texas on track to lead nation in energy storage, report finds

An industry expert says an increase in battery storage facilities has helped the state build a more resilient power grid.

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A Red State Turning Green: How Market Forces Are Building Texas’ Next Energy System

Energy abundance is woven deep into the state’s identity. What is changing now is how that abundance is being produced.

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The Core Counties Powering America’s Gas Future

Production data from key formations since 2021 shows that a small cluster of counties now drive the majority of supply, underscoring the strategic value of geology.

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Expand Energy Electrifies Appalachia Completions Amid E-Frac Buzz

Continuing a trend toward the electrification of completion services in U.S. shale, Expand Energy says it will deploy electric fracturing technology for its upcoming completions program in Northeast Appalachia.

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MN8 Energy Supports Meta’s U.S. Data Center Operations with 80 MW Solar Project in Pennsylvania

Meta will purchase 100% of the offtake generated by MN8 Energy’s 80-megawatt Walker Solar project in Juniata County, Pennsylvania under the long-term agreement.

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PJM proposes behind-the-meter reforms in data center colocation effort

The planned reform threatens the economic viability of new combined heat and power generation at industrial facilities in the PJM Interconnection, according to trade groups.

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Gov. Shapiro’s GRID program addresses mounting concerns about data centers

To balance innovation with accountability, he said his Administration is advancing GRID — the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development standards — built on four core principles.

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US AI boom faces electric shock

Big Tech’s race to dominate AI may soon hit a nasty road bump as U.S. electricity grids struggle to keep pace with the big spending hyperscalers.

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WSJ: Using jet engines to power data centers

In the battle for AI dominance, every engine of the economy is getting recruited into the fight—including jet engines.

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Cost Allocation Is the New Bottleneck: The Rule Rewriting AI Infrastructure

The limiting variable is no longer whether electrons can be generated. It is who pays for the wires, the substations, the transmission upgrades, and the reliability insurance required to deliver those electrons at scale.

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The AI Power Paradox : How America's Data Center Boom Is Rewriting the Energy Rulebook

This isn't about technology or energy or regulation. It's about all three and how they are inextricably linked.

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Data Centers: Big Tech vs. Local Resources or Something Else?

Speaker from the 2nd Annual Permian Power Connection Conference Gabe Collins takes a look at power as a structural regional bottleneck.

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The Quiet Repricing of Power Risk

Capital markets, for the most part, are still underwriting as if infrastructure costs will remain broadly socialized. That assumption is eroding.

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Bitcoin mining facility in Sharon, PA expanding to data center

The building that was turned into the bitcoin facility will be torn down, and replaced with an operational data center.

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Bitcoin Miner Canaan Acquires Cipher’s Stake in Texas Mining Projects, Expands AI and Power Strategy

Canaan (CAN) acquired Cipher Mining’s 49% stake in three West Texas mining projects for $39.75 million in shares, giving Cipher a significant equity stake in Canaan.

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