Data Center Census

Enid, Garfield County, OK

Project Thunderbird

ProposedAnnounced September 2026; requires approval by the Enid City Commission
  1. Rumored
  2. Proposed
  3. Approved
  4. Under construction
  5. Operating

Project Thunderbird is a data center and power generation development announced in September 2026 by Plainsmen Holdings LLC, a partnership of four Enid natives, across four campuses in Enid. It includes plans for on-site natural gas power generation of up to 3.3 gigawatts and would cool the data centers with raw water from the Kaw Lake pipeline in a closed-loop system. The developers say it could also provide backup power to Vance Air Force Base; the plan is in the early stages and must be approved by the Enid City Commission.

Key facts

Size & schedule

Site size1,652 acres [1]
approximately, across four campuses; other outlets report 1,735 acres
Source excerpt
“The proposed Project Thunderbird development would encompass approximately 1,652 acres across four campuses in Enid and includes plans for an on-site power generation facility of up to 3.3 gigawatts”
Site size1,735 acres [3]
figure reported by other outlets; conflicts with 1,652 acres in Enid News & Eagle
Source excerpt
“said their project, still in its early stages, would take up 1,735 acres of land and it would involve behind-the-meter electricity generation.”

Power

On-site generation3.3 GW [1]
stated as up to 3.3 gigawatts
Source excerpt
“The on-site power generation facility would be designed to provide up to 3.3 gigawatts enabled through a partnership with a major natural gas midstream energy provider.”
On-site generation typeOn-site natural gas-fueled generation, behind the meter, via partnership with a natural gas midstream energy provider [1]
Source excerpt
“The on-site power generation facility would be designed to provide up to 3.3 gigawatts enabled through a partnership with a major natural gas midstream energy provider.”

Water

Water sourceRaw water from the Kaw Lake pipeline [1]
Source excerpt
“If approved, Project Thunderbird plans to use raw water from the new Kaw Lake pipeline for cooling the data centers.”
Coolingclosed-loop [1]
Source excerpt
“Advanced closed-loop cooling technology will be used to reduce water consumption compared to traditional data center cooling systems.”

Figures are as stated by the cited source. Where sources disagree, each figure is shown.

Timeline

  1. Plainsmen Holdings announces Project Thunderbird [2]

Issues raised

  • Vance Air Force Base and the Department of the Air Force were briefed on the project, but no formal agreements or memorandums of understanding were signed [3]
  • The developers say the project would bring revenue without raising taxes or utility bills for residents [2]

Sources

  1. UPDATED: Enid natives announce local data center, power generation project
    Enid News & Eagle · Sep 8, 2026 · news
  2. Project Thunderbird to Bring Data Center, Power Corridor to Garfield County
    Freedom 96.9 · Sep 8, 2026 · news
  3. Massive data center campus unveiled for Enid
    Oklahoma Energy Today · Sep 9, 2026 · news