Meta’s 366MW El Paso Power Plant Clears Regulatory Hurdle
Administrative law judges recommend approval of El Paso Electric’s McCloud facility with customer-cost protections. A final PUCT decision remains outstanding.
El Paso Electric’s proposed McCloud Generation Facility has advanced through a significant regulatory step. Administrative law judges recommend approving the dedicated power project serving Meta’s Northeast El Paso campus, with conditions intended to place project costs on the Meta-related customer rather than existing utility ratepayers.
The Public Utility Commission still has to issue its final decision. The recommendation is not an announcement that all construction authorizations have been issued, and the proposed 2027 operating target remains dependent on approvals and delivery.
Project at a Glance
- Utility:
- El Paso Electric
- Planned capacity:
- 366MW
- Reported investment:
- Approximately $550 million
- Site and equipment:
- About 31 acres; 813 modular natural-gas generators
- Build-and-operate contractor:
- Enchanted Rock
- Target operation:
- 2027, subject to approvals
- Regulatory stage:
- ALJ recommendation; final commission decision pending
A Modular Plant for Data Center Demand
The proposal combines 813 modular natural-gas generators on approximately 31 acres to provide 366MW. Local reporting now puts investment at roughly $550 million, compared with the original estimate of $473 million.
The generating plant is a distinct infrastructure project supporting the campus. Its capacity should not be treated as an equivalent statement of data center IT load, which measures a different part of the system.
Enchanted Rock’s Delivery Role
Enchanted Rock is contracted to build and operate the facility, providing a named delivery company while the final regulatory outcome remains pending.
A modular installation of this scale brings together site preparation, foundations, generator placement, gas distribution, electrical collection and controls. These are relevant scope areas to follow, not evidence that individual trade contracts have been awarded. The civil, electrical, mechanical and balance-of-plant subcontractor map is not established in the reviewed reporting.
The Next Milestone
The final commission order will be critical, particularly its treatment of cost responsibility and any conditions imposed on the utility. Confirmed mobilization and equipment-installation schedules would then give construction firms a clearer view of the route to operation.