Haskell County to host 30 microreactors for Texas data centers

HASKELL COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A micro-nuclear technology developer has announced plans to build 30 microreactors in Haskell County to support Texas’ growing data center demands.

Last Energy plans to construct 30 microreactors on 200 acres of land, aiming to power data centers across the state through a combination of private wire and grid transmission. The company has already filed for grid connection with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), while the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is currently in pre-application discussions with Last Energy.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott welcomed the project, stating:

“Texas is the energy capital of America, and we are working to be No. 1 in advanced nuclear power,” said Governor Abbott. “Last Energy’s microreactor project in Haskell County will help fulfill the state’s growing data center demand. Texas must become a national leader in advanced nuclear energy. By working together with industry leaders like Last Energy, we will usher in a nuclear power renaissance in the United States.”

Bret Kugelmass, Founder and CEO of Last Energy, emphasized the need for nuclear power to support Texas’ rapid growth.

“Texas is America’s undisputed energy leader, but skyrocketing population growth and data center development is forcing policymakers, customers, and energy providers to embrace new technologies,” said Bret Kugelmass, Founder and CEO of Last Energy. “Nuclear power is the most effective way to meet Texas’ demand, but our solution — plug-and-play microreactors, designed for scalability and siting flexibility — is the best way to meet it quickly. Texas is a state that recognizes energy is a precondition for prosperity, and Last Energy is excited to contribute to that mission.” 

The project aims to address the growing power demands of Texas-based data center developers. With more than 340 data centers statewide consuming nearly eight gigawatts of power — about 9% of Texas’ total electricity use — the need for reliable energy is only increasing. Grid Strategies reports that data centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone could add another 43 gigawatts of demand in the coming years.

Last Energy’s PWR-20 reactor, designed for mass production, features a four-loop pressurized water reactor (PWR) capable of producing 20 MWe (megawatt electrical). Reed Clay, President of the Texas Nuclear Alliance, called nuclear energy a key solution for Texas’ power demands.

“Texas’ growing data center industry will require reliable and resilient power sources that operate 24/7,” said Reed Clay, President of the Texas Nuclear Alliance. “Nuclear energy is the self-evident solution to the state’s growing demand. Last Energy’s Haskell County project is a model of how next-generation nuclear can integrate seamlessly into high-demand industries and showcases how innovation can drive both energy security and the future of global connectivity.”

Last Energy has already built two full-scale prototypes and hosted demonstrations for industry and government stakeholders. Click here to learn more about the company’s plans.