- Amazon is developing a $10 billion, 3,000-acre data center campus known as Project Eagle near Boling, Texas, about 60 miles southeast of Houston.
- The Wharton County campus will house 10 buildings requiring up to 75 megawatts at peak, but a nondisclosure agreement with a third-party consultant is limiting public information.
- Gov. Greg Abbott’s new audit requirements for data center power hookups are slowing projects statewide, adding uncertainty to the broader Texas data center pipeline.
Amazon is pressing ahead with a $10 billion data center campus near Houston, though details about Project Eagle remain largely under wraps, according to The Real Deal.
The 3,000-acre site sits near Boling, a town of fewer than 400 residents in Wharton County, roughly 60 miles southeast of downtown Houston. Amazon is conducting site preparation but still needs additional county permits before construction can move forward.
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A Cloak of Secrecy
Wharton County officials signed a nondisclosure agreement with VisionFirst Advisors, a consulting firm that has worked with Amazon on past projects, according to the Houston Chronicle. The agreement has made it difficult for concerned residents to learn more about the development.
The Details
The campus will include 10 data center buildings. The first will span roughly 189,000 square feet and is expected to be completed in 2027. The site also has room to expand. Peak electrical demand could reach 75 megawatts, though Amazon has not finalized its total power needs.
Zooming Out
Amazon’s secrecy isn’t unique. It reflects a broader power hurdle facing data center developers across Texas. The state is racing to become the country’s largest data center market by 2030. The AI-driven scramble for land and electricity has sparked opposition from residents across the state.
Why It Matters
The friction has reached the governor’s office. Gov. Greg Abbott, a longtime supporter of business, issued recommendations in June for statewide data center regulations. He also paused new power grid connections pending audits. The moves are part of Abbott’s push to address growing local opposition. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said approvals will be delayed as it implements the new audit system.
What’s Next
Abbott’s audits have already slowed Texas’ data center pipeline. His office is also highlighting companies that agree to the new requirements. Amazon’s Wharton County campus could still meet its 2027 target. That will depend on how quickly it secures the remaining county permits and clears any state-level scrutiny.
