Sweetwater data center workforce housing
Last updated 2026-10-19 · Facts as published by the sources listed below. We are not affiliated with this project.
Project facts
| Location | Sweetwater area, Nolan County · Big Country (Abilene area) |
|---|---|
| Developer | IREN [1] |
| Size | 2 GW: Sweetwater 1 (1.4 GW) and Sweetwater 2 (600 MW) [2] |
| Status | Sweetwater 1 substation energized; initial 300 MW phase targeted for Q4 2027 [2] |
Where crews live today
Sweetwater
Limited hotels; wind and solar crews also need rooms.
Abilene
About 40 miles east, already tight from Stargate and Frontier.
Option 3: own your beds
Hotels, RV parks, and operator camps are all rentals. The third option is to own crew units on land you lease or buy near the work, then move or resell them at the end. Three things decide whether it works:
Land
A level, drained site with truck access for 16 ft wide loads. Leased ranch or industrial land near the gate is common.
Permits: city vs. county
Inside Sweetwater city limits, zoning and any RV park or temporary housing ordinance apply first, so start with the city planning office. Outside city limits, Nolan County has more limited zoning power, but on-site sewage facilities (septic) need permits under TCEQ rules administered locally, subdivision or plat rules can apply, and fire and road access still matter. Housing three or more workers for more than three days can also trigger a TDHCA Migrant Labor Housing Facility license in some cases; ask counsel how it applies to your crew.
Utilities
Water (city, well, or hauled), wastewater (sewer, septic, or holding tanks), and power service sized for every room’s PTAC and water heater. See what a camp needs.
Cost comparison
| Option | Published cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel at the GSA Nolan County (standard rate) rate | $113 / night ≈ $3,435 / month per worker | Federal FY2027 lodging rate; actual rates rise with demand |
| Operator camp | Contract rate per bed | Often bundled services and multi-year minimums |
| Owned crew units | Run the calculator | Units, freight and set, site work, minus resale. See cost per bed |
Planning mix
- 100–300 beds of 5-bed crew units on private land
- Sleepers with central dining for larger crews
Units: 16×76 5-Bed, 5-Bath Crew Unit (Shared Kitchen)16×76 5-Room Sleeper (No Kitchen)7-Room High-Density Sleeper16×76 4-Suite Unit (Four Full Kitchens)
Delivery
Sweetwater is about 247 miles from Seguin, TX in a straight line; road miles are longer. Units travel as 16 ft wide oversize loads with permits. Delivery lead time depends on whether units are in stock or need a build slot. Ask us for a current timeline to Nolan County.
Common questions
When will the Sweetwater data center be built?
IREN targeted its initial 300 MW phase for Q4 2027, per its Sep. 8, 2026 release.
How fast can crew units be set up near Sweetwater?
Units can be delivered once pads, access, and utilities are ready, and site work usually sets the schedule. Lead times depend on stock and build slots; ask us for a current timeline.
Can I own crew housing near Sweetwater instead of renting?
Yes, if you can lease or buy land and permit it. Compare owning with hotels at the GSA rate ($113 a night) in the break-even calculator.
Sources
- DCD, “Iren energizes first phase of 2GW Sweetwater data center campus” (2026)
- IREN release, Sweetwater hub included in ERCOT Batch Zero (Sep 8, 2026)
Last updated 2026-10-19. Figures are as published by each source on the date shown; re-check before you budget.
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