AI data center firm Crusoe has announced that Microsoft will lease approximately 900 megawatts of computing capacity from its campus in Abilene, Texas, which also serves as the core site for the "Stargate" project. This collaboration will increase the data center's total planned capacity to around 2.1 gigawatts. Crusoe expects the newly expanded capacity to become progressively available by mid-2027 to meet Microsoft's growing demand for AI computing resources. The campus currently spans approximately 1,000 acres and already hosts several major technology companies. OpenAI and Oracle are utilizing existing capacity, with Oracle having leased eight data center buildings on the campus for OpenAI’s use. However, the two companies have decided against expanding their usage from 1.2GW to 2GW, creating additional expansion opportunities for other hyperscale cloud providers, including Microsoft Azure. Crusoe indicated that the currently planned 1.2GW portion is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026. In addition, Meta Platforms had previously engaged in discussions about leasing part of the expanded capacity, reflecting strong demand for AI infrastructure among major technology firms. U.S. Congressman Jodey Arrington noted that West Texas is increasingly becoming the "Silicon Prairie of the AI era," with the expansion highlighting both local innovation and the nation's ability to maintain a competitive edge in next-generation information technology. Microsoft emphasized its commitment to securing reliable and sustainably scalable infrastructure as AI demand continues to rise. Noelle Walsh, Microsoft’s head of cloud and innovation platforms, stated that the Abilene campus represents critical infrastructure for advancing next-generation AI development while also generating long-term value for the local community.