Why New Power and Data Focuses on the Houston MSA
At New Power and Data, our mission is to build the world’s leading power-generating digital infrastructure, powering the future of artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC), and digital innovation. To achieve this, we have strategically chosen the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metropolitan Statistical Area (Houston MSA) as the exclusive focus for our transformative projects, including the largest natural gas power plant in Texas and Westinghouse AP300 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) deployments with integrated data centers. The Houston MSA’s unparalleled economic strength, strategic advantages, and robust infrastructure make it the ideal hub for our ambitious vision. NPD is Houston Focused!
A Powerhouse of Scale and Opportunity
Population and Economic Might
The Houston MSA, encompassing nine counties—Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller—is a dynamic region with a population of 7.2 million as of 2020, making it the fourth most populous metro area in the U.S. If it were a state, it would rank 15th in population, surpassing many U.S. states. The City of Houston alone, with 2.3 million residents, is the nation’s fourth-largest city, trailing only New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. This vast and growing population provides a deep talent pool, a thriving consumer base, and a robust workforce to support our projects.
With a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $512.2 billion in 2019, the Houston MSA ranks as the seventh-largest metro economy in the U.S. If it were an independent nation, its economy would rank 27th globally, ahead of countries like Nigeria and Austria. This economic powerhouse drives demand for advanced digital infrastructure, positioning the region as a critical hub for AI and HPC data centers.
Expansive Geography and Infrastructure
Spanning 9,444 square miles—an area larger than five U.S. states, including New Jersey and Connecticut—the Houston MSA offers abundant land for large-scale projects like our natural gas power plant and SMR-powered data centers. The region’s well-developed infrastructure, including extensive road, rail, and port networks, supports efficient construction, logistics, and operations. Houston’s proximity to the Gulf Coast and its status as a global energy hub further enhance access to natural gas and other critical resources, ensuring cost-effective and reliable energy production.
A Global Leader in Business and Innovation
Robust Employment and Business Ecosystem
The Houston MSA is a thriving economic engine, supporting nearly 3.0 million nonfarm payroll jobs and over 166,000 business establishments as of 2020. This vibrant ecosystem fosters innovation, attracts investment, and provides the skilled workforce needed to execute our cutting-edge projects. The region’s diverse industries, from energy and technology to manufacturing and logistics, create a synergistic environment for New Power and Data’s mission to power digital transformation.
Home to Corporate Giants
Houston ranks third among U.S. metro areas with 24 Fortune 500 headquarters, alongside numerous U.S. administrative headquarters for other Fortune 500 companies. This concentration of corporate leaders underscores the region’s business-friendly environment, access to capital, and strategic importance as a hub for innovation. By anchoring our projects in the Houston MSA, we align with a network of industry giants and decision-makers, fostering partnerships and opportunities to scale our infrastructure solutions.
Strategic Advantages for Digital Infrastructure
Energy Capital of the World
Houston’s legacy as the global energy capital, combined with its expertise in natural gas and emerging clean technologies, makes it the perfect location for our GE-powered natural gas power plant and Westinghouse AP300 SMR deployments. The region’s access to abundant natural gas resources ensures cost-effective, reliable power generation, while its established energy infrastructure supports seamless integration of our projects into the grid.
Ideal for AI and HPC Data Centers
The Houston MSA’s economic scale, infrastructure, and business ecosystem create an unmatched environment for data center development. The region’s growing demand for AI and HPC infrastructure, driven by its robust technology and corporate sectors, aligns perfectly with our mission to provide behind-the-meter powered shell solutions. Additionally, the MSA’s temperate climate and access to cooling resources enhance the efficiency of our data centers, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Innovative CO2 Utilization
Our commitment to piping CO2 emissions into greenhouses to boost agricultural productivity thrives in the Houston MSA, where proximity to agricultural communities and established logistics networks supports this innovative approach. This creates additional revenue streams and strengthens local economies, reinforcing our role as a catalyst for sustainable progress.
Space Industry in the Houston MSA
The Houston MSA is a global epicenter for the space industry, anchored by NASA’s Johnson Space Center, which has driven space exploration and innovation for over six decades. As home to mission control for the Apollo program and ongoing operations for the International Space Station, Houston is a hub for aerospace research, development, and commercialization. The region hosts over 500 aerospace and aviation companies, including major players like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and SpaceX, employing thousands of engineers, scientists, and technologists. The Houston Spaceport, located at Ellington Airport, is fostering a new era of commercial space ventures, with facilities for satellite development, zero-gravity research, and space tourism. New Power and Data’s advanced power and data center infrastructure is ideally positioned to support the energy-intensive demands of space-related AI and high-performance computing applications, powering simulations, data analysis, and mission-critical operations that propel the next frontier of space exploration from the Houston MSA.
Houston Medical Center and AI’s Impact on Medicine
The Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston is the world’s largest medical complex, spanning 2.1 square miles and encompassing 61 institutions, including leading hospitals, research facilities, and educational centers. With over 10 million patient visits annually and a workforce of 120,000, the TMC is a global leader in healthcare innovation, conducting cutting-edge research in oncology, genomics, and neurology. Artificial intelligence is transforming medicine within the TMC, revolutionizing diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient care. AI-powered tools are enhancing medical imaging accuracy, predicting patient outcomes through predictive analytics, and accelerating drug discovery by analyzing vast datasets. For instance, AI algorithms are being used at institutions like MD Anderson Cancer Center to personalize cancer therapies, while startups in the TMC’s innovation ecosystem develop AI-driven wearable devices and telemedicine platforms. New Power and Data’s energy-efficient, AI-optimized data centers in the Houston MSA provide the critical infrastructure needed to power these computationally intensive medical AI applications, enabling the TMC to remain at the forefront of healthcare advancements.
Why Houston, Why Now?
The Houston MSA is not just a location—it’s a strategic advantage. Its massive population, economic strength, and corporate presence drive demand for the digital infrastructure that New Power and Data delivers. The region’s vast geography, energy expertise, and business-friendly environment enable us to build and scale projects efficiently, from the largest natural gas power plant in Texas to modular SMR-powered data centers. By focusing solely on the Houston MSA, we maximize our impact, leveraging the region’s unique strengths to deliver unparalleled value to our stakeholders and the global digital economy.
At New Power and Data, we are building the foundation for the future of AI and digital innovation, and the Houston MSA is where that future begins. Join us in powering progress in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.