Engine No. 1, Chevron to Power Data Centers with GE Vernova Gas Turbines

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The multi-GW scale power plant, co-located to a data center, will use flexible power to support lower carbon solutions and renewable energy.

Engine No. 1 and Chevron U.S.A. will establish a joint venture to deliver low-cost, scalable power solutions for U.S.-based data centers, leveraging GE Vernova’s gas turbine technology to generate electricity with domestic natural gas. It aims to build the first multi-GW-scale, co-located power plant and AI data center during Trump’s new term. Aspects of the first projects, known as “power foundries”, include:

  • Seven 7HA natural gas-powered turbines
  • Built under slot reservation agreements on accelerated timelines
  • Serving data centers in the U.S. Southeast, Midwest, and West

Initially, power will not flow through transmission grids to eliminate the risk of rising electricity prices for consumers.

“We are excited to enable the advancement of data center growth in the United States by supporting delivery of critical power needs to customers,” said Scott Strazik, Chief Executive Officer of GE Vernova. “GE Vernova is positioned to provide the energy systems and support required to make this large-scale endeavor possible.”

Turbine-driven data center system; image credit: GE Vernova

Turbine-driven data center system; image credit: GE Vernova

Additional Project Details

The new company will deliver up to 4 GW of power with first operation expected by year-end 2027, opening the potential for additional power capacity beyond this date. The projects will be designed with flexibility, integrating renewable energy sources and lower carbon solutions, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS). These CCS systems can capture more than 90% of turbine-produced CO2.

Eventually, this model will sell surplus electricity to the U.S. power grid through future interconnects, supporting higher energy demands while keeping costs stable. In addition to providing affordable and reliable energy, the joint company is expected to generate thousands of jobs and accelerate the reindustrialization of the United States.

“Energy is the key to America’s AI dominance,” said Chris James, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Engine No. 1. “By using abundant domestic natural gas to generate electricity directly connected to data centers, we can secure AI leadership, drive productivity gains across our economy, and restore America’s standing in industry. This partnership with Chevron and GE Vernova addresses the biggest energy challenge we face.”

Impact of AI/Data Centers

The Trump Administration’s early policies establish a foundation for investment in the United States’ energy abundance, thus reinforcing the nation’s AI leadership. The accelerated growth of digital technology, including the rise of data consumption, cloud computing, and AI-powered solutions, demands cost-effective and scalable solutions to allow growth and minimize the burden on the current grid.

“We are proud to play our part in bringing to fruition President Trump’s vision America, powered by our energy resources and workforce,” said Mike Wirth, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Chevron. “President Trump’s pro-American energy policies and commitment to energy and AI dominance give us the confidence to invest in projects that will create American jobs and strengthen our national security.”

Engine No. 1, Chevron, and GE Vernova will address the need for affordable, reliable energy to satisfy the growing demand for electricity to power U.S. data centers, allowing current and future AI generations to be developed domestically.

GE Vernova’s AI Work

In late September 2024, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office selected GE Vernova to lead a project to enable permitting and safety for hydrogen deployment. The project has the following objective: to identify the primary challenges of siting, permitting, and installation across the value chain from hydrogen production to end-use.

The company will enter award negotiations with the DOE valued at $1 million to finalize the terms and scope of the project. As part of the program, H2Net will develop an AI assistant trained on the relevant, critical documents for safe hydrogen handling and permitting.

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