Aligned Data Centers: Scaling AI Capacity in Texas

Aligned Data Centers has announced an expansion of its North American footprint with the construction of Project Caprock, a 540MW data centre campus in Hale County near Abernathy, Texas.

The 313-acre site, LBB-01, will deliver 1.65 million square feet of capacity across six facilities and is set to enter service in Q1 2027.

The campus will target cloud and AI workloads at a hyperscale level, placing high-density compute infrastructure at the core of its design.

As demand grows for advanced processing power, large-scale data centre campuses such as Caprock will play a key role in supporting enterprise and cloud provider requirements.

Scaling infrastructure for AI and hyperscale demand

Project Caprock reflects how operators are responding to increasing demand for high-performance computing environments. Hyperscale data centres require scalable power and physical space to accommodate their rapid growth in compute workloads.

The campus will be designed to deliver high-density infrastructure within a defined footprint, aiming to maximise output per acre compared with traditional commercial developments.

“We are proud to bring next-generation infrastructure to Hale County,” says Andrew Schaap, CEO of Aligned.

“Our expansion into Northwest Texas proves we can meet both the increased capacity demands from customers while also meeting community demands for the responsible construction of AI infrastructure.”

The build-out is expected to contribute around US$5bn to the regional economy, alongside thousands of construction roles and supplier contracts over several years.

This reflects the scale of investment required to deliver modern data centre environments, where power availability and supply chains play a significant role.

Cooling and water management strategy

Cooling can pose a challenge for AI-focused data centres, where increased rack density generates higher heat loads. With Caprock, Aligned will deploy its DeltaFlow liquid cooling technology, paired with an air-cooled heat rejection system and a closed-loop design.

This allows the campus to reduce water consumption while protecting the Ogallala Aquifer, which is a key regional water source.

By avoiding reliance on continuous water intake, the design ensures the facility will not compete with local agricultural or residential demand.

The combination of liquid cooling and air-cooled rejection also supports operational efficiency, helping maintain stable temperatures for high-performance workloads without using resources unnecessarily and excessively.

Power delivery and regional integration

Power infrastructure forms another critical component of the Caprock campus. Aligned is responsible for building and funding dedicated electrical infrastructure to support the site, ensuring sufficient capacity for high-density compute operations.

This model helps shield local rate payers from additional costs while maintaining reliability across the regional grid. 

“Xcel Energy is proud to partner with Aligned on this transformative project for Hale County,” says Brad Baldridge, Interim President, Xcel Energy in Texas, New Mexico.

“Through our close collaboration and a responsible, forward-thinking approach to grid development, we are ensuring Aligned receives the robust power it requires without compromising the highly reliable, resilient service that residents and businesses depend on every day.”

Alongside energy provision, the project will integrate with the local economy through long-term employment and tax contributions.

Once operational, the campus will support permanent technical roles and generate commercial tax revenue for public services including schools and emergency response.

“Our partnership with Aligned Data Centers on their West Texas expansion is a landmark project for the Abernathy and Hale County community, creating significant local jobs and opportunities for our subcontractor partners,” says Michael Beadle, Senior Vice President of Operations, Mission Critical, Ryan Companies.

“We are proud to build the future of the data center industry with a partner who is not only committed to technological innovation and sustainable design but also to foster long-term economic growth in the region.”

Aligned also plans to support workforce development through its Aligned Academy initiative, working with local education providers to prepare candidates for roles in data centre operations and mission-critical infrastructure.