NEHC Targets AI Power Demand w/ Integrated Helium & Nat Gas “You know, if you spoke with a hyper-scaler, they want it yesterday... and I truly believe it’s the behind-the-meter strategy that’s really going to differentiate us.”
Positioning for the AI Energy Shift
New Era Helium Corp. (NEHC) is reshaping its business model to address the growing energy needs of AI and high-performance computing. In a recent video interview with [paid promotional message], CEO Will Gray outlined a plan to evolve from a conventional helium and gas producer into a vertically integrated power and data infrastructure company.
Full interview: https://youtu.be/v0h1ibJAQhM
Helium’s Role in the AI Supply Chain
Gray emphasized that helium isn’t just a byproduct—it’s a strategic component in AI advancement. Helium is essential for semiconductor manufacturing, currently the top use case, and domestic demand is climbing due to initiatives like the CHIPS and Science Act and over $100B in new U.S. chip foundry investments. As global supply tightens, the U.S. may increasingly prioritize retaining helium resources for domestic tech growth.
Fueling AI from the Source
To complement its helium strategy, New Era is leveraging its natural gas resources to support AI infrastructure through on-site electricity generation. Rather than selling its natural gas on the open market, New Era intends to channel it into electricity generation to directly power AI data centres. This behind-the-meter strategy will use gas from the company’s Pecos Slope Field to produce up to 70MW of power over a projected 20-year period, enabling control over both energy costs and reliability.
Joint Venture Advances 250MW AI Campus
This energy strategy is directly tied to New Era’s plans to power its own AI-focused data centre campus through its joint venture, Texas Critical Data Centers.The company has signed a non-binding letter of intent to secure land in Texas for a planned 250MW net-zero AI and HPC data centre. The first phase will bring 150MW online without carbon capture, while the second phase incorporates carbon capture and utilization (CCU) to enable enhanced oil recovery. This approach could yield financial upside from 45Q tax credits, currently valued at $60/ton.
Strategic Site Selection in Permian Basin
The data centre project benefits from a well-positioned site in the Permian Basin, with access to dual transmission pipelines, gas storage, and possible grid connectivity. These features are critical for hyperscale operations that require resilient, fast-deploying energy solutions.
Q2 2025 Helium Production Still on Track
Despite the pivot toward data infrastructure, New Era remains committed to its core helium business. Gray confirmed that helium production at the Pecos Slope processing plant is still scheduled to begin in Q2 2025, with additional updates expected soon. The gas field is expected to serve both helium recovery and power generation, anchoring the company’s dual-revenue strategy.
Company website: https://www.newerahelium.com
Posted on behalf of New Era Helium Corp.