A new natural gas plant in the Houston area is coming online for the Texas grid in time to meet the sweltering summer's power demand, NRG announced this week.

Why it matters: The TH Wharton peaker plant can come online in about 30 minutes when demand spikes and when ERCOT requests additional electricity during periods of grid stress — including extreme weather and hurricanes.

The big picture: It's one of the first projects completed under the Texas Energy Fund, a state-backed financing program created to encourage the construction of new dispatchable power generation after the deadly 2021 winter storm.

• It's also the first new-build power plant NRG has brought into operation in more than a decade.

Zoom in: NRG expects the facility to operate only one to two hours on a typical day.

• NRG Wholesale president Matt Pistner said the units are especially valuable during summer when families are home, air conditioners are running and electricity demand is elevated.

What they're saying: "These are shock absorbers for the ERCOT grid," Pistner told reporters during a tour last month.

By the numbers: The plant can provide 456 megawatts of power when needed, enough to power more than 100,000 Texas homes during peak hours.

Between the lines: The facility uses emissions-control technology designed to limit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide and to meet state standards, Pistner said.

Follow the money: While the company declined to disclose the cost of the Wharton project, Pistner said rising equipment and labor costs have made new power plants more expensive to build.

• "If you were to do this again today, yes, the escalation in price of both equipment and labor has gone up significantly," he said, noting NRG locked in key equipment pricing before costs climbed.

What we're watching: It's unclear how much new demand data centers will place on the grid, Pistner said, but facilities like the TH Wharton peaker plant will continue serving as backup resources.

Go deeper

The Texas power grid may experience record electricity demand this summer, per ERCOT.

Why it matters: The demand will test the state's power grid during peak summer heat as electricity use from data centers, crypto operations and other large customers continues to rise.

By the numbers: The grid's load is estimated to peak around 92,200 megawatts this summer, system operations vice president Dan Woodfin told board directors last week.

• That's compared with the previous record summer peak of about 85,500 MW in 2023. Summer demand peaked at 83,700 MW in 2025.

Yes, but: ERCOT says it's prepared for the sweltering summer with enhanced contingency efforts and better tools for monitoring and responding to real-time emergencies.

The big picture

Gov. Greg Abbott this week directed state energy officials to take up data center regulations aimed at protecting Texans from higher electricity bills.

Why it matters: Texas is seen as one of the friendliest states in the nation for data center development, with one of the most generous tax incentives. Abbott's requests are notable in a state known for lax rules governing businesses.

Zoom in: Abbott's letter to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and ERCOT outlined three steps the agencies should take:

• Require data center developers to fund the cost of electric infrastructure they need.
• Submit a memo to Abbott by July 17 with actions they can take to protect residential and small business ratepayers.
• For PUC, "initiate action" to reduce residential customers' infrastructure costs by July 31.

Zoom out: Data center regulation is expected to feature prominently in the Texas Legislature's 2027 session.

Between the lines

🚫 Officials temporarily suspended entry to FIFA's Fan Festival in East Downtown yesterday because it reached capacity during Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa. (X)

🌊 Harris County's flood control director stepped down after scrutiny from commissioners over delays to flood projects that put federal funds at risk. (Houston Chronicle)

🇨🇩 The Congo World Cup team yesterday arrived in Houston, the team's base camp for the duration of the tournament. (KHOU)

Houston will host four-time World Cup champion Germany and one of the biggest long shots, Curaçao, on Sunday, kicking off a stretch that brings some of soccer's biggest teams and stars to the city.

State of play: Three teams playing group-stage matches in Houston are perennial powerhouses:

• 🇵🇹 Portugal, ranked No. 5 in the FIFA world ranking.
• 🇳🇱 The Netherlands, ranked No. 8.
• 🇩🇪 Germany, No. 10.

The intrigue: No. 82 Curaçao's odds of winning the World Cup are 2,500-1, tied for the longest odds with Jordan and Haiti.

Here are some players to watch:

• Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, the all-time leader in goals (143) and appearances (227) for Portugal, is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He's playing in a record sixth World Cup but he's never won the tournament.
• Germany's attacking midfielder, Jamal Musiala, 23, has been a star at Bayern Munich since he was a teenager, but he's returning from injury.
• Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk is considered one of the best center-backs of his generation.

Houston Stadium is game-ready.

Zoom in: The natural grass playing surface is in place, with grow lights set up to maintain the pitch throughout the tournament.

• Two locker rooms have also been transformed for the tournament. Team-specific signage will be installed accordingly. Germany and Curaçao flags were up for Sunday's match.

Be smart: Officials recommend arriving early. Stadium gates will open three hours before kickoff.

• Parking (upwards of $100 depending on the match) must be purchased in advance, but officials are encouraging fans to use MetroRail.

Worthy of your time: See the full list of prohibited items.