CenterPoint Adds $4B for Houston Data Center Power Demand
CenterPoint Energy plans to invest more than $4 billion in new transmission infrastructure across the Houston region to meet power demand driven largely by data center development. The utility expects the region to require 14 additional gigawatts of capacity by 2030, while regulators and ratepayer advocates debate how much of the cost should be borne by large users versus other customers.
CenterPoint Energy unveiled more than $4 billion in additional transmission investment for the Houston region as executives anticipate unprecedented electricity demand from data centers. The company projects the area will need 14 gigawatts of new capacity by 2030 and has expanded its broader capital plan to $38.7 billion through 2030 and approximately $70.7 billion over the 2026-2035 period.
CenterPoint CEO Jason Wells and CFO Christopher Foster said the growth could create substantial investment opportunities, but acknowledged that much of the infrastructure cost may ultimately be recovered through customer rates. Ratepayer advocates have questioned whether large power users will cover enough of the upgrades. Separately, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT to pause certain data center and cryptocurrency-mining grid connections while regulators review projects in the queue, with final eligibility determinations expected later in 2026.