(Image: Last Energy)

Last Energy, a U.S.-based microreactor innovator, has revealed plans to establish new microreactors in Texas (Haskell County), to meet the energy needs of data centers across the state. Having secured control of a 200-acre plot, the company intends to power its clients through a combination of direct private lines and connections to the broader grid. Last Energy has already submitted an application to link up with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and, after consulting with local stakeholders, is gearing up to request an Early Site Permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

As a key player in the Texas Nuclear Alliance – a group dedicated to fast-tracking nuclear projects statewide – Last Energy says its initiative responds to surging interest from Texas data center developers over the past year. With existing agreements to deliver over 80 microreactors across Europe, half of which will support data centers, the company views this Texas venture as a way to boost its capacity by an additional 30 units and lay the groundwork for a nationwide commercial network.

The Northwest Texas project, according to Last Energy, will significantly enhance the state’s grid capacity and align with projections for data center growth. Texas currently hosts more than 340 data centers, which together draw nearly 8 GW of electricity about 9% of the state’s total demand. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone, forecasts suggest data centers could add another 43 GW of demand in the coming years.

Born out of the Energy Impact Center, a research hub focused on speeding up the shift to clean energy through cutting-edge solutions, Last Energy bases its technology on a pressurized water reactor delivering 20 MWe or 80 MWt. The company constructs its power plant components off-site, assembling them modularly at the destination.

Dubbed the PWR-20, Last Energy’s plant consists of several dozen units that connect seamlessly, much like building blocks. Designed for swift production, transport, and setup within 24 months, the PWR-20 caters to private industrial clients. Under its unique model, Last Energy retains ownership and manages these plug-and-play facilities directly on customer sites, sidestepping the lengthy timelines tied to upgrading traditional electric grids.