Old Ocean data center campus (Nightpeak Energy, near Sweeny)
Nightpeak Energy wants to build a $3.5 billion data center campus with two gas power plants near Sweeny. County commissioners refused its tax break requests after residents raised noise concerns. Officials say they cannot stop it.
Where things stand: County commissioners unanimously denied tax breaks in Mar. 2026; the county judge expects it to go ahead anyway.
🕒 Latest update (March 2026): Brazoria County commissioners unanimously rejected the tax break requests.
What we know
- 📍 WhereOutside Sweeny, about 65 miles southwest of Houston, Unincorporated Brazoria County, Brazoria County
- 🏢 CompanyNightpeak Energy
- 🌳 Size158 acres
- ⚡ Power it needs620 megawatts (about as much as 496,000 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromTwo new 310-megawatt gas turbine power plants (Bulldog Power) next to the data centers.
- 💵 Cost$3.5 billion
- 💸 Tax breaksAsked for four 10-year, 100% property tax breaks. Commissioners said no in Mar. 2026.
- 👷 Jobs promised30
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Has the state air permit for the gas turbines been filed or approved? 🙋 I'll find out
- How much water will it use? 🙋 I'll find out
- Who will use the data centers? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- March 2026Brazoria County commissioners unanimously rejected the tax break requests.
Local votes and rules
📌 Other
Brazoria County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution saying future data centers should not move forward without an independent study of power, water, farmland, drainage and road costs. It also calls for limits on water use, distance from homes, schools and hospitals, and fees so taxpayers do not pay the costs.
✋ Turned down
Brazoria County commissioners voted unanimously not to create a tax break zone (reinvestment zone) for the Old Ocean data center by Nightpeak Energy. That step was needed for a $10.5 million tax break. The plan was a 310-megawatt data center with a 310-megawatt gas power plant. Commissioners cited power demand and few lasting jobs.
Drag the slider to compare the land before and now.
Where this comes from
- Brazoria County rejects tax break for $3.5B data center · The Real Deal · March 13, 2026
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