West Texas (Abilene, Shackelford, Permian)
This is the largest delivered AI capacity in the US, but all of the incremental growth runs through ERCOT's audit and TCEQ air permits. Self-powered campuses are the most exposed to a new governor's air-permit lever.
C&W: 2.9 GW under construction, more than all of EMEA [Cushman & Wakefield, 2026 Global Data Center Market Comparison (Americas rankings) (2026-05); F&L Asia: Global data centre market enters managed growth phase (C&W 2026 figures) (2026-05)]
Power and the queue
- ERCOT's 75 MW+ data center energization pause applies, and Batch Zero reports are due Dec 10, 2026. [ERCOT presentation to PUCT: Batch Zero verification and audit, community impact review (2026-08-20)]
- Stargate Abilene: a Texas air permit for additional on-site generation (No. 182126) is still pending under the TCEQ halt. [Stargate.how: October status check, where every Stargate site stands (2026-10-18); Office of the Texas Governor: Governor Abbott directs TCEQ to halt data center permits (2026-09-21)]
Notable projects owners where public
- Stargate Abilene (Crusoe/Oracle/OpenAI): 6 of 8 buildings delivered, 618 MW, about 75% of campus capacity (Oracle, Sep 10). [Stargate.how: October status check, where every Stargate site stands (2026-10-18)]
- Shackelford County 'Frontier' (Vantage, roughly 1.4 GW, 10 buildings): under construction, first building expected late 2026.uncertain [Stargate.how: October status check, where every Stargate site stands (2026-10-18)]
- Milam County (SB Energy/OpenAI, Central TX): first building was scheduled for Oct 15, 2026, with no confirmation it is in service. [Stargate.how: October status check, where every Stargate site stands (2026-10-18)]
- Nscale, Barstow: Microsoft runs about 230 MW and declined an expansion option. Ionic's further 466 MW lacks permission to bring power to the site. [DCD: Microsoft declined option for expanded compute contract in Texas with Nscale (2026-11-05)]
Regulatory posture incentives, moratoria, zoning, water, large-load rules
- Governor-elect Hinojosa's moratorium pledge plus the TCEQ halt put on-site gas permitting at risk. [DCD: Anti-data center candidates claim victory across the US in 2026 midterm elections (2026-11-04); DCD: More than half of US hyperscale projects face 'regulatory friction' after midterms (B (2026-11-05)]
Pending legislation and actions 1 items
| Date | Jurisdiction | Item | Status | Impact | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-04 | Texas state | Governor-elect pledge: statutory moratoriumuncertain Gina Hinojosa (elected Nov 3) campaigned on an immediate moratorium lasting until the Legislature passes protections. BMI says the pause could plausibly extend into late 2027. | proposed | high | [DCD: Anti-data center candidates claim victory across the US in 2026 midterm elections (2026-11-04)] |
In force / enacted 3 items
| Date | Jurisdiction | Item | Status | Impact | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-21 | Texas state | Governor directive: TCEQ to halt data center permits TCEQ is to issue no permits for infrastructure directly supporting data centers until ERCOT's audit is complete. TCEQ reported compliance on Oct 19, and a watchdog says some permits still advanced. | in force | high | [Office of the Texas Governor: Governor Abbott directs TCEQ to halt data center permits (2026-09-21)] |
| 2026-08-03 | Texas state | Governor directive: comprehensive data center audit (ERCOT Batch Zero) PUCT/ERCOT must verify and audit data centers in the interconnection queue. ERCOT is not approving energization of new data center and crypto loads of 75 MW or more until the audit is complete. Verification and community-impact reports are due Dec 10, 2026. | in force | high | [Office of the Texas Governor: Governor Abbott directs comprehensive data center audit (2026-08-03)] |
| 2025-06-20 | Texas state | SB 6 (89R, 2025) Requires PUCT/ERCOT large-load planning and interconnection standards; applies to large loads at a default 75 MW single-site threshold; addresses interconnection studies, cost allocation, co-location, and emergency curtailment | enacted | high | [SB 6 (89R, 2025) primary source (2025-06-20)] |
Pricing & supply snapshot directional
MW Desk estimate / directional range, Q4 2026
Not yet benchmarked. We have not published a directional colocation pricing or supply band for this market yet.
Ranges, when published, are indicative only and age quickly. Confirm with brokers and operators before acting.
TJ field notes
Coming soon: TJ's on-the-ground notes on this market. Expect what the queue really looks like, which sites can actually get power, and what the brokers aren't saying.
Slot reserved for TJ's detailed market report.