Chevron plots massive gas plant build-out for data centers

By Jason Plautz | 01/29/2025 06:50 AM EST

The company is the latest oil and gas giant to seize on the opportunity to power artificial intelligence.

Amazon Web Services data center is seen at night on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Boardman, Oregon.

Amazon Web Services data center is seen at night on Aug. 22, 2024, in Boardman, Oregon. Jenny Kane/AP

Chevron announced Tuesday it would help deliver a fleet of gas plants to power data centers, joining a trend of fossil fuel companies seeking a market in the country’s artificial intelligence boom.

The oil and gas giant said it would partner with San Francisco-based investment firm Engine No. 1 to deliver “multi gigawatt-scale” power plants that will plug directly into data centers. The joint development aims to deliver its first projects — which it calls “power foundries” — by the end of 2027.

The companies are working with GE Vernova to source equipment and say they expect to use seven of the developer’s natural gas turbines. The projects will be designed to integrate carbon capture and storage technology or renewable energy resources, although they will primarily run on natural gas that emits planet-warming pollution.

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In all, the partnership aims to deploy up to four gigawatts of power, enough to supply up to 3.5 million U.S. homes, with locations in the Southeast, Midwest and West.

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