EmberClear Management has submitted loan applications for two significant power projects, each with a capacity of 900MW, to the Texas Energy Fund.
The EmberYork Energy Center in Austin County and the EmberGreen Energy Center in Wharton County will deliver a combined 1.8GW of natural gas-fired electricity to the Houston area.
The facilities are designed to provide support during peak demand periods or emergencies.
The strategic placement of the proposed power plants near large interstate natural gas pipelines and substantial storage capacity ensures a reliable gas supply for continuous operations.
EmberClear said it has engaged with Houston-based ConocoPhillips to secure a firm gas supply for both projects.
The Matterhorn pipeline, which has a 2 billion cubic feet per day capacity, is already connected to both facilities.
In preparation, the company has initiated discussions with a leading gas turbine manufacturer for the timely delivery of major equipment and potential financial participation.
These discussions are crucial for aligning the delivery of equipment with the overall development, financing and construction timeline.
The projects, in collaboration with the Texas Energy Fund, aim to provide strategic assets for the ERCOT [Energy Reliability Council of Texas] grid.
The EmberYork and EmberGreen facilities are designed for rapid response, capable of reaching full capacity in under ten minutes and maintaining operation for an unlimited duration, thereby supporting Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast during any contingency.
EmberClear's experience in developing large power plants is well-established, with the successful launch of the $700m Birdsboro power plant in Pennsylvania in 2019 and the ongoing construction of the $1.5bn, 1.2GW Lincoln land energy centre in Illinois, in partnership with a major private equity fund.
EmberClear chairman David Anderson stated: “This initiative aligns perfectly with the vision of the governor, the Texas legislature and the voters of Texas when they approved the creation of the Texas Energy Fund.
“EmberClear has extensive experience developing thousands of megawatts in power projects across the United States, and we are excited to partner with Texas to bring this expertise home, making the EmberYork and EmberGreen power projects a reality.”
