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Energy & Environment

U.S., South Korea partner on $22 billion power plant for data center in Texas

The U.S. and South Korean governments are collaborating on a project to build a 6.47 gigawatt combined-cycle gas power plant in Encinal, Texas to power a 5 gigawatt data center, with excess power going to the Texas grid. The plant is being developed by Related Companies and NextEra Energy Resources.

Where
La Salle County (Encinal), Texas
When
Oct. 7, 2026
Sources
One outlet

Counties: La Salle

Taxes and money

The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.

  • Power project cost$22 billion1 2

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • U.S. Department of Commercegovernment partner in project planning
  • South Korean governmentgovernment partner in project planning
  • Related Companiespower plant operator
  • NextEra Energy Resourcespower plant operator
  • Related Digitaldata center developer
  • John KetchumChairman and CEO of NextEra Energy
  • Rod LewisFounder and CEO of Lewis Energy Group

The facts

  • The power plant will be 6.47 gigawatt combined-cycle gas plant built in Encinal, Texas.1 2 Stated by 2 sources
  • Construction is expected to bring 8,400 jobs; after completion, 170 permanent jobs at plant and hundreds at data center.1 2 Stated by 2 sources
  • First stage expected to come online in 2029; full capacity in 2032.1 2 Stated by 2 sources
  • Data center will be 5 gigawatt with closed-loop water cooling system using produced water from oil and gas extraction.1 2 Stated by 2 sources
  • Project implements trade deal announced July 30, 2025 and Strategic Investment MOU signed Nov. 14, 2025.1 2 Stated by 2 sources

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • John Ketchum, NextEra Energy CEO Project demonstrates how energy infrastructure and economic growth can advance together.1 2
  • Rod Lewis, Lewis Energy Group CEO Excited to work with Related Digital and NextEra Energy to develop Project Star.1 2

Sources

Outlets: 2 not rated Who's covering Texas →

These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. South Texas to get $22B power project tied to data center FOX 26 Houston Not rated, October 7, 2026
  2. South Texas to get $22B power project tied to data center FOX 7 Austin Not rated, October 7, 2026

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

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