Soluna and Applied Digital are planning a 50 MW critical IT data centre for AI and high-performance computing at Project Dorothy 3 near Silverton, Texas. The development brings a familiar infrastructure question into focus: how should a site chosen for power access prepare its network connections?

What has been announced

In its 21 October 2026 announcement, Soluna said it had signed an agreement to form a jointly owned project company with Applied Digital. Soluna would contribute land and power-related assets, while Applied would provide development capital.

The planned first phase is expected to draw electricity from both the adjacent Briscoe Wind Farm and the grid, subject to definitive documentation. ChronoScale has signed a non-binding letter of intent to lease the facility. The transaction remains conditional, with closing expected by year-end. This is a planned development, not an operating 50 MW facility; the announcement does not publish its fibre routes or cabling specification.

Power access and network access need separate checks

XConnect’s analysis: for UAE businesses evaluating a new data centre location, an attractive power arrangement should trigger a parallel connectivity review. The practical question is whether the intended network services can reach the building on the required schedule, with suitable physical routes and clear handover responsibilities.

Start by asking providers to document the proposed service entry points and the portions of each route they control. Two service contracts should not automatically be treated as two independent physical paths. Ask where shared ducts, chambers, bridges or building entrances could create a common dependency, and record what has actually been verified.

Bring the fibre route into the construction plan

Coordinate the outside-to-inside transition. Map where external fibre reaches the property, enters the building and terminates in the distribution area. Assign responsibility for each interface, including access arrangements and documentation. Review the route with the civil works and facilities teams before construction decisions make changes harder.

Separate initial demand from expansion. Ask designers to show which pathways and termination spaces serve the first phase and which are reserved for later use. Base cable and connector choices on confirmed link requirements. A large power rating alone does not determine fibre counts, network speeds or the appropriate optical equipment.

Include connectivity in the readiness schedule. Track carrier delivery, pathway completion, cable installation and acceptance as distinct milestones. A building can be ready for equipment while an external connection still awaits work. Make those dependencies visible before agreeing a service launch date.

Define the evidence needed at handover. Request route drawings, cable identification, termination schedules and agreed test records. Identify who will maintain these records after changes and who can arrange access for a repair. These questions are useful for an enterprise server room as well as a larger campus.

The Texas proposal illustrates why site planning deserves attention beyond the energy headline. These recommendations are general planning considerations, not descriptions of Dorothy 3’s chosen network. Explore XConnect’s data centre solutions or contact our team about your infrastructure requirements.

Source: Soluna’s official announcement linked above, reviewed 29 October 2026. Project facts are attributed to Soluna; practical recommendations are XConnect’s analysis.