What We’re Doing With EmberGreen Peaker Project

“The $700 Million peaker power plant will have a significant impact on the growing economy of Wharton County for years to come. It will expand the tax base, enlarge payrolls and drive revenues for a host of local businesses.” Frank Wilson – VP, Construction, EmberClear

EmberClear is currently developing an 870 MW natural gas-fired, simple-cycle peaker power plant (“Peaker”) to be constructed approximately 30 miles southwest of Houston, Texas, near Wharton Township in Wharton County. Texas is grappling with power demand challenges to avoid blackouts. Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) projects 7.8 GW shortage by 2028. Our plant will be built to operate exclusively during peak demand periods. The facility will play a critical role in balancing intermittent renewable energy sources, thus supporting Texas’ ongoing transition towards a more sustainable energy portfolio.

EmberClear is working with Young America Capital and Jupiter Island Capital to complete the development and financing activities. The Project has strong support from the local community and Wharton County. The Project will be constructed on a 50-acre leveled site that is favorably zoned for a power plant. The site is located adjacent State Highway and a rail-line making access extremely convenient. In order to minimize water usage and discharge, peaker plant will employ evaporator cooler, only used during extreme hot days thus enhancing our commitment to the environment.

The overall gas supply and pipeline connectivity strategy has been developed to ensure EmberGreen plant is connected to high pressure newer gas pipeline(s), gas storage facilities and a steady supply of gas is available over summer and winter peak loads. Five large interstate and six intrastate natural gas pipelines are located within 8-miles of EmberGreen Project Site. Total gas supply over these pipelines is between 10 and 15 BCF/day. EmberGreen will construct a 3-mile connector to access gas from another newly constructed high pressure larger diameter pipeline. EmberGreen also plan to directly connect to Tres Palacios, a 35 BCF Gas Storage Facility, owned by Enbridge.

The EmberGreen project will interconnect to the ERCOT system within the CenterPoint Service Territory. We will build a substation adjacent to the generating facility on our site and tie to a brand new 138kV line, operated by Center Point Energy, located within half-mile from the site. Currently, the project site falls between CenterPoint's Hungerford substation and Wharton substation. Center Point has wholeheartedly endorsed EmberGreen facility and has been supporting our development.

EmberGreen will be a fully winterized plant equipped to provide maximum flexibility during peak loads. Given the access to low-cost shale produced natural gas, and utilization of highly efficient turbine technology, the Project will have a very competitive heat rate and be one of the first peaker plants dispatched in the ERCOT South wholesale market capable of delivering Response Reserve Service (RRS) and ERCOT Contingency Reserve Service (ECRS).

We intend to apply for available loans set aside by the PUCT under Section 25.510. Texas Energy Fund In-ERCOT Generation Loan Program (TEF) that is specifically designed to promote the development of peaker plants such as EmberGreen and EmberYork, a similar facility being developed by EmberClear in Austin County. The Project is in the process of obtaining air quality permit from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TDEQ) and securing interconnection contract from ERCOT. TEF program is designed to expedite ERCOT queue process potentially accelerating the Interconnection Services Agreement (“ISA”) for key projects.

Based on that, the Project could commence construction by Q1/Q2 2026, putting the Project on track to reach its commercial operations date (“COD”) in Q1 2028. The EmberGreen Project will bring $700 Million in direct investment to Wharton County and create approximately 350 construction and 20 permanent jobs.