A Mega Data Center Project Sparks Debate in Cochise County
A massive data center project is on the horizon for Cochise County, promising to be a significant development near the community of Cochise and the Apache Generating Station. This ambitious endeavor by Tombstone Resources LLC aims to establish a 6-gigawatt data center campus, a scale that dwarfs other regional projects.
The proposed Cochise Supercomputer Campus, if realized, would become the third-largest of its kind in the United States, only surpassed by Kevin O’Leary’s 9-gigawatt Stratos Project in Utah and Fermi America’s 11-gigawatt Project Matador in Texas. The energy load for the new campus is projected to be six times that of the controversial Project Blue in Pima County and double that of the recently rejected La Osa data center proposal in Pinal County.
A community meeting to discuss the project is scheduled for Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at Cochise Elementary School. The developer has completed numerous preliminary steps, including conceptual site plans and utility availability assessments, but still faces further site-specific evaluations as dictated by county regulations.
Public sentiment is mixed, with over 1,000 individuals signing a petition opposing the project. Calls for public comments have also been circulating on social media, urging residents to express their concerns to Cochise County Development Services.
In April, Cochise County leaders introduced new zoning codes specifically for data centers, outlining stringent standards for noise, water usage, and other environmental impacts. The county also maintains an online hub for data center information and updates.
The proposed site is located close to Willcox Playa, which is crucial for the migratory Sandhill Crane. To address environmental concerns, the developer has incorporated measures to protect the bird population, including specific lighting and construction designs.
The planned facility is expected to include nine data center buildings, a battery energy storage system, and natural-gas-fired generators across an estimated 750 acres. Tombstone Resources will purchase the land from the Arizona Electrical Power Cooperative (AEPCO) and Southline Transmission LLC, with AEPCO also serving as the energy provider.
The Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) is set to provide retail electric services, although it requires the developer to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades. SSVEC has assured its members that potential rate increases are unrelated to the data center project and anticipates filing a rate case by fall 2027.
Tombstone Resources claims the data center will contribute $34 to $103 million in annual tax revenue and could reduce energy bills for co-op members by 10 to 40 percent. The project’s water needs are expected to be met by trucking in water or using treated wastewater, negating the need for new wells.
One prospective use for the facility is artificial intelligence model training, indicating the center’s potential role in technological advancements.
