Encinal, Texas

Project Overview

Project Star is a public-private partnership that will advance America's energy independence and ensure American technology companies have the infrastructure required to lead in the global technology race.

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Republic of Korea have selected Related Companies and NextEra Energy Resources in partnership with Lewis Energy Group to develop Project Star, a $22+ billion energy infrastructure campus with 6.47 GW of generation in Encinal, Texas, powered by natural gas from Texas.

At full scale, Project Star will directly support a privately funded 5 GW data center campus that Related Digital is developing on an adjacent site. The project will also deliver excess power generation back to the grid, helping support reliability and affordability. The project will drive a significant investment in Texas-based manufacturing, subcontractors, and small businesses, while also creating high-paying new jobs and long-term economic opportunities.

 

Project Highlights

  • water droplet with a semi circle arrow to show the loop

    Advancing U.S. Energy Independence

    Creating local use for Texas natural gas. Project will deliver excess power to the grid supporting reliability and affordabilty.

  • Line drawing of a construction worker wearing a hard hat working on a laptop.

    Significant Investment in Texas

    The power campus represents a $22+ billion investment and support for Texas-based manufacturers, subcontractors and small businesses.

  • Job Creation

    The project will create approximately 8,400 good-paying construction jobs during peak activity and hundreds more high-paying permanent roles.

Responsible Development

  • overlapping lines to make rolling hills with a sun peaking out over the top

    Closed-Loop Cooling

    The data center project will use a closed-loop air-cooling system, recirculating water rather than constantly consuming it. Once operational, daily water consumption will be comparable to a standard office building.

  • Integrated Water Strategy

    The power campus will seek to use produced water from extraction wells, water that would otherwise be disposed of. Produced water will be processed using advanced wastewater treatment technologies suitable for cooling and industrial use.

  • megaphone

    Community Engagement

    Early and ongoing communication with the community in Encinal and La Salle County to ensure we create substantial long-term benefits for the area.