Project Star aims to power South Texas data center tied to U.S.-Korea deal
Related Companies, NextEra Energy Resources and Lewis Energy Group are developing Project Star, a $22 billion energy infrastructure campus and data center project in Encinal, Texas. A 6.47-gigawatt gas-fired power plant will primarily serve Related Digital’s adjacent 5-gigawatt data center campus, with operations expected to begin in 2029.
The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Republic of Korea selected Related Companies and NextEra Energy Resources, in partnership with Lewis Energy Group, to develop Project Star in La Salle County. The $22 billion campus will include a gas-fired power plant in Encinal and an adjacent data center campus being developed by Related Digital.
The power plant is designed to generate 6.47 gigawatts, primarily supplying the data center while selling excess electricity to the Texas grid. NextEra estimates the project will create about 8,400 construction jobs and 170 permanent power-plant jobs, with the first phase expected online in 2029 and full capacity by 2032.
Related Digital said the data center will use a closed-loop cooling system intended to keep daily water consumption comparable to that of a typical office building. The project is tied to a $350 billion U.S.-South Korea trade and infrastructure agreement and aligns with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive that certain data centers provide their own generation.