Rhea Data Proposes 4M Sq Ft Idaho Facility with Gas Plant

Rhea Data, a subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Arevia Power, has submitted an application to the Bureau of Land Management for a 4-million-square-foot data center complex in southern Ada County. The proposed multi-building facility would occupy more than 3,700 acres of public land near Blacks Creek Reservoir, according to information reported by East Idaho News. This project is significantly larger than Meta’s recently opened Kuna Data Center, which the new site would exceed by a factor of 5.5.

The preliminary design includes a dedicated natural-gas power plant intended to supplement grid power and ensure continuity during peak demand hours. Rhea Data also plans to tie into Idaho Power’s transmission network, though the utility has not yet included this load in its official demand forecasts. The proposal is part of a broader federal review of large-scale data center applications on public land across six western states.

Federal review process remains in early stages

The Bureau of Land Management’s Four Rivers Field Office received the initial application in August 2025 and is currently in a pre-planning phase. Field Manager Jarod Blades stated that staff are evaluating impacts on local water resources, livestock grazing, and cultural sites in coordination with area tribes. A formal notice of intent is expected to be published in the Federal Register before the end of the year, which will trigger the public comment period.

Regulators have not yet finalized a timeline for approval, citing the need for further details on water usage and cooling systems. The BLM is specifically inquiring whether the facility will use a closed-loop cooling system, which reuses water, or an open system that evaporates water. Until these technical specifications are clarified, the project remains in a preliminary stage with no set construction schedule.

Power supply strategy relies on hybrid sources

The energy plan for the data center combines multiple power sources to manage high consumption loads. In addition to the on-site gas plant, the proposal links to Arevia Power’s Snake River Energy solar project, which is designed to generate up to 400 megawatts of peak output. This hybrid approach aims to provide stable baseload power while integrating renewable generation, reducing the reliance on a single energy source for the facility's operations.

Idaho Power evaluates grid integration requirements

Idaho Power has acknowledged the proposal but noted that it is too preliminary to be included in current load forecasts. Spokesman Sven Berg indicated that any project of this magnitude requires review by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and extensive planning to ensure safe and reliable service. The utility emphasized that it must avoid shifting infrastructure costs to existing customers while accommodating the additional demand from the data center complex.