ElectriGen to Build and Operate 1.8GW Behind-the-Meter Gas Platform for Texas Data Center Development
April 28, 2026
ElectriGen to Build and Operate 1.8GW Behind-the-Meter Gas Platform for Texas Data Center Development
As demand for data center capacity surges across the United States, behind-the-meter power solutions are emerging as a critical tool for enabling large-scale digital infrastructure. ElectriGen, a Houston-based power provider, has taken a significant step in this direction by signing a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) to develop and operate a 1.8GW behind-the-meter power platform in Texas, designed to support a major data center development.
The proposed project involves the construction of two 900MW natural gas power plants, which will collectively support up to 1.5GW of IT load capacity at an undisclosed site within the Texas market. The plants will rely on natural gas reciprocating engines and/or gas turbines, delivering power at 34.5kV, and will also incorporate a battery energy storage system along with other ancillary infrastructure. ElectriGen expects the project to reach commercial operations in 2028, pending the finalization of definitive agreements and necessary infrastructure development.
The platform will operate under a 15-year commercial term, with options for five-year extensions, and pricing will be based on continuous 24/7 available capacity. A Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) study is expected to be conducted jointly by the parties to refine engineering, technical, and site parameters. Chris Combs, CEO and co-founder of ElectriGen, emphasized the scale of the initiative, stating: “This project represents the scale of infrastructure required to meet the explosive growth of AI and high-performance computing. Behind-the-meter generation provides developers with the speed, reliability, and energy security needed to bring next-generation digital infrastructure online.” He added that the company is aligned with its customer, supply chain, and capital partners to push ahead in making the project a reality.
The move reflects a broader industry trend, as natural gas becomes an increasingly preferred power source for data centers of all sizes in the U.S. market. Earlier this month, Microsoft signed a deal with Chevron and Engine No. 1 that could provide up to 2.5GW of natural gas power for a new data center in Texas. Meanwhile, in March, NextEra Energy obtained approval to develop up to 10GW of natural gas power generation capacity in Texas and Pennsylvania to meet surging data center demand in both states. ElectriGen’s project underscores the growing reliance on behind-the-meter gas generation to deliver the speed, reliability, and energy security required for next-generation digital infrastructure, particularly in energy-intensive markets like Texas.
Source: datacenterdynamics
