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Vantage Unveils $25B “Frontier” AI Data Center Campus in Texas: 1.4 GW of Liquid-Cooled Power

ByInnoVirtuoso

What does a $25 billion data center actually look like—and why is Texas the place to build it? Vantage Data Centers just answered both questions in one move, revealing plans for “Frontier,” a 1.4-gigawatt AI campus in Shackelford County, Texas. It’s the company’s largest project to date and a clear signal of how fast AI infrastructure is scaling.

If you’re building AI, buying capacity, or watching the edge of digital infrastructure, this is the kind of project that changes timelines and playbooks. Let’s unpack what’s coming, why Texas is the new epicenter, and what it means for power, cooling, and the AI economy.

The Announcement at a Glance: 1.4 GW, 10 Buildings, Ultra-High Density

Vantage’s plan is bold in scale and specific in purpose: build a next-generation campus engineered for AI workloads that demand massive, steady power and dense, liquid-cooled racks.

Key specs you should know: – Investment: $25+ billion (Vantage’s largest ever) – Location: Shackelford County, Texas (about 150 miles west of Dallas) – Campus size: 1,200 acres – Capacity: 1.4 gigawatts of critical IT load – Build program: 10 data centers totaling 3.7 million square feet – Rack density: Ultra-high-density, 250 kW+ per rack – Cooling: Advanced liquid cooling (designed for next-gen GPU clusters) – Timeline: Construction underway; first building targeted for the second half of 2026 – Jobs: 5,000+ across construction and ongoing operations – Sustainability: Closed-loop chiller design to save billions of gallons of water; pursuing LEED certification

Vantage says the campus will meet the specific needs of AI infrastructure—think GPU-dense clusters, low-latency fabrics, and power-hungry training runs. Translation: this is not a generic colocation play. It’s purpose-built for AI at scale.

For context, 1.4 GW is enormous. It’s more than the total data center capacity of many entire metro markets just a few years ago. It’s also an order of magnitude leap toward the kind of compute outposts AI leaders have on their roadmaps.

You can explore Vantage’s broader footprint here: Vantage Data Centers

Why Texas—and Why Now?

Texas has become the front line for AI data center expansion. Several forces are converging here:

  • Abundant energy supply and generation growth, with a dynamic mix of wind, solar, gas, and storage
  • Available land and speed to build at campus scale
  • An independent grid (ERCOT) that allows faster interconnections and flexible power market options
  • A pro-growth policy environment and supportive local stakeholders
  • A growing cluster of hyperscale and AI-first developments

According to JLL, Texas is now the leading U.S. market for new data center construction, with more colocation power under development than Northern Virginia, the long-time king of data center capacity. See their latest report: JLL North America Data Center Outlook

On the energy front, the numbers speak loudly. Texas leads the nation in electricity generation and added a historic volume of new renewables and storage in recent years. For hard data and up-to-date charts: U.S. Energy Information Administration: Texas State Profile

And if you’re wondering about the grid dynamics you’ll be operating within, this is the authority: ERCOT

Here’s why that matters: AI build-outs live or die by power access and scale. In Texas, developers can secure large footprints and pursue multi-gigawatt roadmaps faster than most regions in the U.S.

The AI Infrastructure Super-Cycle: Demand Is Off the Charts

AI isn’t nudging infrastructure—it’s upending it. The pivot to large-scale GPU training and inference is reshaping how facilities are designed, cooled, and powered.

  • Training runs need sustained, high-density power, often in the megawatts per pod.
  • GPU clusters demand low-latency, high-bandwidth networking across racks and rooms.
  • Thermal loads have blown past the capabilities of air-only cooling; liquid is the new baseline.

Analysts project multi-trillion-dollar global investment in data centers by 2030, with tens of gigawatts of new AI capacity required in just a few years. A helpful perspective on the scale and urgency: McKinsey on AI infrastructure and compute

The short version: if you run AI workloads, you’re competing for power, parcels, and purpose-built capacity. Vantage’s Frontier campus is designed to absorb that demand in one of the few places where 1.4 gigawatts can be credibly planned.

Cooling for 250 kW+ Racks: Why Liquid Is Non-Negotiable

When rack densities exceed 250 kW, traditional air cooling falls short. You simply can’t move enough heat with fans without crippling efficiency or running out of physical airflow capacity.

Liquid cooling solves that. There are a few paths:

  • Direct-to-chip (cold plates): Liquid circulates through plates attached to GPUs/CPUs, pulling heat away at its source.
  • Rear-door heat exchangers: Chilled water captures heat as it leaves the rack, keeping air recirculation in check.
  • Immersion cooling: Entire servers submerge in a dielectric fluid; heat is shed into the fluid, then removed via heat exchangers.

Vantage’s mention of advanced liquid systems suggests a design that can mix methods based on tenant needs. If you’re planning for H100s, B200s, or similar GPU generations, expect facilities like Frontier to push you toward liquid by default.

For best-practice foundations on liquid cooling and data center thermal guidelines, see: – ASHRAE: Datacom technical resources – Uptime Institute on water and efficiency metrics

Water and Sustainability: Closed-Loop Chillers, LEED, and Local Impact

Water stewardship is a major concern in large data center builds, especially in regions with variable drought conditions. Vantage says Frontier will employ a closed-loop chiller system expected to save billions of gallons of water annually versus traditional evaporative cooling.

What that means in practice: – Closed-loop chillers use recirculating fluids to move heat, minimizing evaporative losses. – They often use less water but more electricity than open-loop or hybrid systems. – Combined with liquid-to-the-chip designs, they control both water consumption and thermal performance.

The company also plans to pursue LEED certification—a framework for measuring energy, water, and materials performance across the life of the building. Learn more here: U.S. Green Building Council: LEED

If you’re responsible for ESG reporting, this matters. AI chips increase power intensity; designs like Frontier’s attempt to keep water intensity in check while enabling liquid cooling at scale.

Powering 1.4 GW: Where the Electricity Comes From

The big question: how do you actually feed 1.4 gigawatts? Expect a multi-pronged power strategy:

  • High-capacity interconnections with ERCOT, potentially with multiple substations on-site
  • Long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with wind, solar, and storage projects to hedge price and decarbonize
  • Grid stability services and load orchestration to align with ERCOT market dynamics
  • Potential on-site backup generation and energy storage for resilience

Texas is adding significant renewable and battery capacity, but interconnection queues and transmission constraints still apply. The fastest builders are the ones who solve for both utility partnership and physical grid upgrades early in the process.

If you’re an AI builder, get involved at the power contracting level as early as you engage on space. In markets like Texas, power strategy is your first critical path item—not an afterthought.

Economic Impact: Jobs, Scholarships, and a Local Transformation

Shackelford County is small—Frontier’s 5,000+ jobs across construction and operations could nearly double the county’s population. That scale can transform a local economy.

Expect: – New demand for housing, healthcare, and services – Workforce development partnerships, including specialized training for operations techs, electricians, and mechanical roles – A local tax base boost to fund civic infrastructure – A sustained ecosystem of vendors and logistics partners

Vantage has also pledged annual college scholarships for local students and emphasized local hiring. For civic leaders, these commitments help turn a mega-project into long-term community resilience.

To track official statements and regional updates, watch the Texas Governor’s newsroom: Office of the Texas Governor

Texas vs. Northern Virginia: A Shift in the Center of Gravity

Northern Virginia remains the largest data center market in the world. But land scarcity, power constraints, and community pressures have slowed growth. Texas, by contrast, offers room, speed, and a grid that’s more flexible for ultra-large campuses.

Per JLL, Texas now leads the nation in new-build pipelines. For decision-makers, this marks a realignment: – If you want the deepest interconnect ecosystems, NOVA is still unmatched. – If you need acreage and gigawatt-scale runway, Texas is pulling ahead.

It’s not either/or. Many AI builders will split architectures across both—training in Texas, latency-sensitive inference closer to end users. But the balance is clearly shifting.

The Competitive Landscape: Mega-Campuses and the AI Arms Race

Vantage is not alone. The next generation of data centers looks like a series of gigawatt-scale campuses across a handful of power-rich regions. Consider: – OpenAI and Microsoft have been reported to explore mega-projects (e.g., “Stargate”) with capacities and budgets far beyond traditional builds. See coverage: The Information: OpenAI and Microsoft mega data center plans – Texas already hosts major capacity from hyperscalers and top colocation providers – Vantage, backed by DigitalBridge, operates dozens of campuses globally and has also announced a separate 224 MW development near Reno, Nevada

Competition is healthy here. It accelerates innovation in liquid cooling, grid integration, and sustainability, and it increases options for AI teams racing to secure capacity.

Risks and Unknowns: Power, Supply Chain, and Policy

No project of this size is guaranteed. Here are the issues to watch:

  • Power interconnections and transmission: ERCOT moves faster than most, but 1.4 GW still depends on big upgrades and careful coordination.
  • Transformer and switchgear supply: Lead times can stretch, especially for large, specialized gear.
  • Cooling hardware and facility integration: Liquid cooling is more complex to deploy and maintain at scale.
  • Water security: Closed-loop helps, but long-term availability and resilience still matter in drought-prone regions.
  • Policy and public perception: Data center growth can strain local infrastructure; proactive engagement is key.
  • AI demand volatility: If capex cycles cool or architectures change, build phasing must remain flexible.

Balanced view: Vantage has the experience and the balance sheet partner to navigate these headwinds. But execution will define whether the 2026 timeline holds and how quickly the campus fills.

What This Means for AI Builders, Cloud Teams, and Enterprises

If you’re planning AI infrastructure in the next 12–36 months, Frontier is a signal to act early and plan holistically.

Practical takeaways: – Reserve capacity early: Pre-leasing for 2026 and 2027 deliveries will move fast, especially for high-density halls. – Get your thermal strategy right: Align on liquid cooling methods (direct-to-chip vs. immersion) with both your silicon roadmap and the operator’s capabilities. – Lock in power strategy: Work with providers on PPAs, hedging, and grid services that match your load profile and ESG goals. – Validate network design: AI training clusters need low-latency, high-bandwidth fabrics; ensure the operator’s design supports your topology. – Model TCO beyond rack rates: Include power, cooling overhead, potential retrofits, and operational complexity in your total-cost view. – Plan for sustainability: Expect LEED-aligned practices and reporting; incorporate water and carbon accounting from day one.

If you’ve been blocked in constrained markets, Texas may open doors—especially for training-centric deployments where scale matters most.

Timeline and What to Watch Next

Vantage is already building. The first building is slated for the second half of 2026, with a multi-year ramp beyond that.

Milestones to keep on your radar: – Utility interconnection approvals and substation construction starts – Announcements of anchor tenants or pre-leasing commitments – Details on specific liquid cooling standards supported at launch – PPAs for renewables and grid services partnerships – Workforce training initiatives with regional colleges and technical schools – Follow-on phases and adjacent land acquisitions

Pro tip: Keep tabs on ERCOT’s generation and transmission additions as a proxy for build speed and risk: ERCOT and statewide profiles via EIA.

How Frontier Fits the Texas AI Map

Shackelford County sits within a growing AI corridor in West Texas, with other large-scale developments planned or in motion across Abilene and the broader region. As clusters form, they tend to reinforce each other: – Shared talent pools and training programs – Stronger vendor ecosystems – Easier logistics for specialized equipment – More leverage for grid planning and infrastructure upgrades

In other words, the more these campuses cluster, the faster they collectively move.

Key Takeaways

  • Vantage’s $25B “Frontier” campus is designed for AI at scale: 1.4 GW, 10 data centers, liquid-cooled, and ultra-high-density.
  • Texas has become the go-to market for mega-builds thanks to power, land, and ERCOT’s faster path to interconnection.
  • Liquid cooling is now table stakes for 250 kW+ racks and next-gen GPU clusters.
  • Closed-loop chiller systems address water concerns while supporting high thermal loads.
  • Execution risk remains in power, supply chain, and policy—but the direction is clear: bigger, denser, and faster AI campuses.

If you’re planning AI capacity, start the conversation now. The window to secure 2026–2027-ready, liquid-capable capacity is already narrowing.

Helpful Resources

FAQs

Q: What is Vantage’s Frontier campus?
A: Frontier is a planned 1.4-gigawatt AI data center campus in Shackelford County, Texas. It spans 1,200 acres with 10 buildings and 3.7 million square feet, purpose-built for ultra-high-density, liquid-cooled racks powering modern GPU workloads.

Q: Why build in Texas instead of Northern Virginia?
A: Texas offers abundant power growth, available land, and the ERCOT grid’s flexible interconnection process. Northern Virginia remains a top interconnect hub but faces land and power constraints. For multi-gigawatt campuses, Texas now has a speed and scale advantage.

Q: How big is 1.4 GW in practical terms?
A: It’s massive. Many major metro markets had less than that in total capacity not long ago. A single hyperscale data center might be 50–100 MW; Frontier aims for 14 times that across its campus.

Q: How will Vantage cool 250 kW+ racks?
A: With advanced liquid cooling, likely including direct-to-chip cold plates and other liquid-assisted methods. Liquid removes heat at the source far more efficiently than air at these densities, enabling stable operations for GPU clusters.

Q: Will the campus use a lot of water?
A: Vantage plans a closed-loop chiller system, which recirculates cooling fluids and minimizes evaporative water loss. The company expects this approach to save billions of gallons of water annually compared to traditional evaporative systems.

Q: When will the first building be ready?
A: Vantage targets the second half of 2026 for the first building, with additional phases rolling out after that.

Q: Is there enough power on the Texas grid to support this?
A: Texas is adding significant generation and storage, and ERCOT offers a more flexible path to interconnection than many regions. That said, 1.4 GW requires careful planning, multiple substations, and long-term power strategies, including PPAs and grid services.

Q: Who else is building big AI campuses in Texas?
A: Texas has a wave of hyperscale and AI-first projects. Reports have highlighted large-scale plans from major AI and cloud players, including megaprojects under discussion by OpenAI and Microsoft. The region around Abilene and West Texas is seeing notable momentum.

Q: What’s in it for the local community?
A: Thousands of jobs, workforce training, scholarships, and a larger tax base. There will also be new demand for housing and services, which local leaders and developers will need to plan for.

Bottom line: AI is rewriting the rules of data center design and site selection. Vantage’s Frontier campus is a blueprint for what “AI-ready” looks like at gigawatt scale—liquid-cooled, power-forward, and built where the grid can grow. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on Texas—and start aligning your power, cooling, and capacity plans now.

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InnoVirtuoso

Hello there! I'm passionate content writer navigating the digital landscape. With a deep love for words and an insatiable curiosity about technology.

With 10 years of experience in IT field, I write mostly about emerging tech, sharing news, informational articles and covering other topics I find interesting.

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