Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation is moving forward with plans to construct a large-scale natural gas generation facility in Morris County, marking a significant investment in regional energy infrastructure.
The project, located in Naples, Texas, will span more than 100 acres and feature an 850-megawatt, two-turbine power plant. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, with full operations targeted by 2029.
The development underscores growing demand for reliable, dispatchable energy sources as utilities respond to rising electricity consumption and grid stability concerns.
According to AECC, the decision to build in East Texas followed an evaluation of multiple sites, including locations in Arkansas. Ultimately, proximity to natural gas pipelines and transmission infrastructure made Morris County the most viable option.
“The facility in Morris County, Texas, is crucial to maintaining reliable energy resources,” said Vernon Hasten, president and CEO of AECC. “AECC continues to develop proven, readily dispatchable power generation technologies to provide our members with reliable, affordable electricity.”
The plant will operate within the footprint of the Southwest Power Pool, a key regional grid operator that helps coordinate electricity supply and demand across multiple states.
The new facility is part of AECC’s broader plan to meet its wholesale generation needs while ensuring consistent power delivery to its more than one million members, including customers in parts of East Texas.
“This new state-of-the-art asset will be one of the lowest-emitting and most efficient simple cycle natural gas generation stations in AECC’s fleet,” the AECC said.
By investing in modern gas-fired generation, AECC aims to balance affordability, efficiency and environmental performance — particularly as utilities navigate the transition toward cleaner energy while maintaining grid reliability.
The project is expected to generate construction activity across multiple trades, from site preparation and civil work to mechanical and electrical installation.
For contractors and suppliers, the 100-acre development represents a multi-year pipeline of work tied to energy infrastructure — a sector that continues to see steady investment even as other construction segments fluctuate.
Additionally, the facility could provide long-term economic benefits to the region, including job creation during construction and ongoing operational roles once the plant comes online.
The AECC project reflects a wider trend across the U.S., where utilities are investing in natural gas plants to complement renewable energy sources and ensure grid stability.
As electricity demand rises — driven by population growth, industrial expansion and energy-intensive sectors like data centers — natural gas remains a key component of the energy mix due to its flexibility and relatively lower emissions compared to coal.
Originally reported by Paulina Mata in KETK.
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