The Sharon AI-New Era Helium partnership represents a shift towards more energy-conscious AI infrastructure, with the project’s design prioritizing carbon neutrality through carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS). The Ector County location is strategically chosen for its existing CO2 infrastructure, natural gas transmission lines, and fiber optic connectivity, providing a foundation for behind-the-meter energy management that reduces reliance on traditional grids.
With energy consumption in AI-driven data centers projected to double every four years, this initiative aligns with broader industry trends toward integrating energy transition technologies into the fabric of digital expansion. By utilizing CCUS alongside low-cost natural gas, the venture aims to enhance energy efficiency while ensuring grid stability.
A key feature of the project is its behind-the-meter energy approach, which allows the data center to generate its power onsite rather than drawing from external grid sources. This setup minimizes transmission losses, improves energy efficiency, and provides cost stability in an era of fluctuating energy prices.
New Era Helium is expected to finalize a natural gas supply contract by Q2 2025, reinforcing the long-term energy security of the site. By integrating renewable energy sources, CCUS, and advanced power generation technologies, the project has the potential to become a model for sustainable data center operations.
With site selection completed and due diligence underway, the next phases of the project will focus on:
This project comes at a time when the global AI infrastructure race is intensifying. The Stargate Project, backed by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, has demonstrated the growing demand for high-capacity, energy-efficient data centers in the U.S. The Sharon AI-New Era Helium collaboration seeks to meet this demand while pioneering sustainable energy solutions for HPC and AI.
