Scale Datacenters Built Private Power Plant in Oklahoma City
The data center operator utilized Senate Bill 480 to construct a 100-megawatt natural gas facility.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Data Centers
Live Poll
Do you support allowing private companies to bypass public utilities to build their own power plants?
Scale Datacenters recently moved to power its Oklahoma City campus by constructing a 100-megawatt natural gas power plant. The facility operates independently of the local utility grid by using behind-the-meter generation.
Why it matters
The project allows the company to meet its rising energy demand while avoiding multi-year wait times for new infrastructure. It highlights a shift toward private power generation for major industrial sites in the state.
The new private power plant features a 100-megawatt capacity to support operations at the former Chesapeake Energy campus. To circumvent manufacturing constraints, the company utilized imported generators sourced from decommissioned power plants in Bulgaria.
The players
Scale Datacenters
This company operates data center facilities and employs 450 people in Oklahoma City.
Trevor Francis
He is the CEO of Scale Datacenters who addressed state lawmakers regarding energy operations.
Brad Boles
He is a representative who discussed legislation regarding private power generation.
Department of Environmental Quality
This state agency is conducting a technical review of the company's air quality permit applications.
The details
Scale Datacenters employs 450 people at its Oklahoma City campus and is currently expanding with a second facility in southeast Oklahoma. The company successfully utilized Senate Bill 480, which authorizes firms to bypass traditional utility providers to build private power plants.
Timeline
Scale Datacenters launched operations in 2024.
Oklahoma passed Senate Bill 480 in 2025.
Representative Brad Boles discussed the legislation in July 2026.
CEO Trevor Francis addressed state lawmakers in September 2026.
The company submitted permit applications to the DEQ in September 2026.
The Tech Race
This project follows a pattern established by the passage of Senate Bill 480, which allows companies to bypass traditional grid utilities. It signals a move toward self-sufficiency for data centers facing long delays in standard energy infrastructure deployment.
While the project aims to secure power for data operations, it demonstrates a new reliance on private generation that could influence regional energy availability for residential users. Residents should monitor the DEQ review process for potential updates on emissions and local environmental impact.
The takeaway
The construction of this private power plant illustrates how major companies are increasingly bypassing utility infrastructure to meet operational requirements. Future data center developments in the region may continue to rely on similar legislative exemptions to maintain rapid expansion timelines.
Further reading
Learn more about local industry trends in our Data Centers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KGOU 106.3.
Live Poll
Do you support allowing private companies to bypass public utilities to build their own power plants?
