Harris County – A major energy expansion is coming to Harris County.
Governor Greg Abbott announced that an NRG Energy, Inc. electric power generation plant planned at the existing Greens Bayou facility in Harris County has been designated as a qualified project under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) program.
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According to the Governor’s Office, the new 455-megawatt natural gas facility represents a $617 million capital investment and will be built at the existing NRG Greens Bayou site.
“Texas is America’s energy leader,” said Governor Abbott. “This $617 million investment by NRG in Harris County will add more power to Texas’ energy infrastructure and help meet energy needs of Texas homes and businesses in the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the nation. Smart investments like these will power and sustain an even brighter future in Texas for generations to come.”
What the project means for Houston
In November 2025, a Texas Energy Fund loan agreement between NRG and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) was announced for the plant. The facility is expected to begin generating power in 2028 for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas power region.
NRG leaders say the project reflects a growing demand for energy and the importance of public-private partnerships.
“Moving Texas forward to meet rising energy demand involves public-private partnership, and NRG is grateful the Greens Bayou new build project is part of Governor Abbott’s innovative JETI program,” said NRG President Robert Gaudette. “Our new 455-megawatt facility at the Greens Bayou power plant will enhance grid stability, create job opportunities, and help make power more affordable for homes and businesses in Texas. We thank Governor Abbott, the Texas Legislature, the PUC, and the Galena Park Independent School District for being excellent partners.”
Local impact
The expansion is also drawing attention from local education leaders.
“Galena Park ISD recognizes the potential of NRG’s investment in the Greens Bayou project and the positive impact it may bring to our community,” said Galena Park ISD Superintendent of Schools John Moore, Ed.D. “Projects like this support local economic development while helping ensure long-term stability for public education.”
The project’s designation under the JETI program signals state-level support for expanding power generation capacity in the Houston area, part of a broader push to meet growing demand in the nation’s fifth-largest metropolitan area.
Last week, the Houston Texans also announced plans for a new state-of-the-art training facility and team headquarters in Northwest Harris County, another major development project highlighting continued investment and long-term growth across the Houston region.
Construction timelines beyond the 2028 projected generation date were not detailed in the announcement.