Dichelle Burrus with DPR Construction is one of the project leads for the site. She said once the idea came to the Key City, they immediately got to work on the large-scale project.

“Probably four or five years ago, the folks at Lancium really wanted to bring some new industry here to the Abilene market. The Abilene area is honestly very rich in power and energy that could be supplied to different markets,” Burus explained. “480,000 cubic yards of concrete — you assume kind of an average house foundation slab is usually around 80 to 90 cubic yards — That means we have placed the equivalent of 6,100 house foundations out here so far, and we’re not even done.”

What seems to be one of the largest site data center sites will use many resources, including chillers to cool the center and a gas turbine power plant for power. Burus explained exactly how the plant will use water and energy to run.

“Since the buildings are fed from the substation and then the backup power is provided by the gas turbine plant, it’s not like you have tons of generators that are providing the power either,” Burus said. “In terms of water, it’s a closed loop system. So once the system is filled and operational, that’s it. It’s maybe a little like maintenance tap here and there every once while, but it is a closed-circulated system, so it shouldn’t be a major drain on the local water system once it’s up and operational.”

The construction company is contracted to finish eight buildings; the last building is set to be finished by the end of next year.