New Era Helium, Inc., a leading exploration and production company specializing in sourcing helium alongside natural gas in the Permian Basin, is excited to announce the completion of its joint venture with Sharon AI, Inc. This 50/50 partnership has led to the creation of Texas Critical Data Centers, LLC, a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at constructing a 250MW net-zero energy data center in the heart of the Permian Basin.
The Growing Need for Net-Zero Energy Data Centers
The demand for data processing capabilities, especially in fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing, has seen an unprecedented increase. As industries worldwide continue to evolve and digitize, data centers must meet not only the increasing energy demand but also the growing need for sustainability. The joint venture between New Era Helium and Sharon AI addresses this demand by combining cutting-edge AI technology with sustainable energy infrastructure.
Strategic Significance of the Project
The newly formed Texas Critical Data Centers LLC is positioned to develop, fund, and construct this state-of-the-art data center that will leverage net-zero energy solutions. The data center will serve industries reliant on AI and HPC workloads, which have seen an exponential rise in recent years. Not only does this collaboration represent a move toward energy-efficient data processing, but it also sets a new precedent for using clean energy to power the digital world.
Helium and Clean Energy: A Perfect Synergy
One of the key factors that make this project unique is the combined expertise of the two partners. New Era Helium has extensive experience in extracting helium in conjunction with natural gas production in the Permian Basin, which makes it an ideal player in providing energy for the project. Meanwhile, Sharon AI specializes in AI, cloud GPU compute infrastructure, and cloud storage, which are critical for modern digital data needs. This synergy will ensure that the data center is not only energy-efficient but also capable of meeting the growing demands of AI and HPC workloads.
Gas Supply Agreement and Long-Term Energy Stability
A crucial milestone in the partnership is New Era Helium’s ongoing negotiations for a long-term gas supply agreement with Texas Critical Data Centers. The agreement is expected to provide a fixed price for natural gas over a five-year term with the option to extend for up to 20 years. This long-term agreement will secure low-cost, net-zero energy for the data center, addressing the rising energy costs associated with AI/HPC-driven industries.
Optimizing Location and Infrastructure
Texas Critical Data Centers LLC has already identified multiple sites within the Permian Basin, which will allow access to New Era Helium’s natural gas through existing gas transmission lines. These sites are also in proximity to critical fiber-optic cable infrastructure, which is essential for high-speed data transmission. The proximity to energy sources and communication infrastructure ensures that the data center will be able to efficiently service its customers and clients with minimal delays.
In addition, Texas Critical Data Centers LLC is exploring ways to access 45Q tax credits associated with Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS). The ability to capture and dispose of CO2 emissions will make the data center a true leader in sustainable technology, further enhancing its net-zero energy status.
Progress and Future Milestones
The next major milestone for this ambitious project is the announcement of the final site selection for the 250MW data center, which is expected to be revealed in Q1 2025. Along with site selection, other crucial elements will be finalized, including the entitlement process, power generation selection, and CO2 capture technology.
Additionally, both companies are in ongoing discussions with potential offtake partners, including hyperscalers and other large energy users, to secure long-term customers for the data center. The ability to offer low-cost, net-zero energy is expected to attract major players in the AI and HPC industries, ensuring the center’s success and long-term viability.
Statements from Company Leaders
E. Will Gray II, CEO of New Era Helium, expressed his excitement about the partnership and the potential impact it will have on the future of the energy and digital industries: “The creation of Texas Critical Data Centers, LLC reflects our goal of building innovative energy infrastructure to support the growing needs of the AI/HPC-driven digital world. By combining our expertise in helium and clean energy with Sharon AI’s cutting-edge computing technologies, we’re setting a new standard for sustainability and innovation.”
Wolf Schubert, CEO of Sharon AI, also weighed in on the importance of the joint venture, stating, “We are excited to be rapidly progressing our Texas Critical Data Centers LLC joint venture with New Era Helium, given the high demand in the U.S. for large-scale, low-cost, net-zero energy data centers, which are essential for powering AI/HPC workloads.” Sharon AI’s expertise in AI infrastructure and cloud computing positions the venture to address a pressing need in the data center industry for more energy-efficient and sustainable solutions.
Industry Implications: A Blueprint for the Future
The partnership between New Era Helium and Sharon AI marks a significant shift in the way energy and data processing infrastructure are being integrated. As businesses and industries become more dependent on AI and HPC for operations, the demand for sustainable, low-cost energy solutions will only increase. Texas Critical Data Centers LLC is setting the standard for how to meet this demand with a focus on environmental responsibility, cost-efficiency, and technological advancement.
Furthermore, the project’s reliance on clean energy sources and its commitment to capturing and utilizing CO2 emissions will likely inspire other data center ventures to adopt similar practices. As such, the joint venture represents not only a local development in the Permian Basin but also a global model for energy-efficient data centers of the future.
About New Era Helium, Inc.
New Era Helium, Inc. is an exploration and production company that sources helium produced in association with the production of natural gas reserves in North America. The company currently owns and operates over 137,000 acres in Southeast New Mexico and has over 1.5 billion cubic feet of proved and probable helium reserves. For more information, visit www.newerahelium.com. Follow New Era Helium on LinkedIn and X.
About Sharon AI, Inc.
Sharon AI, Inc., is a High-Performance Computing company focused on Artificial Intelligence, Cloud GPU Compute Infrastructure & Data Storage. Sharon AI has a hybrid operational model that sees it deploy in Tier III & Tier IV co-location data centers as well as design, build, and operate its own proprietary specialized data center facilities.
With the expected addition of NVIDIA H200s to the company’s GPU fleet in 2025, Sharon AI will be able to offer a wide range of AI/HPC GPUs as a Service (GPUaaS), including NVIDIA H200, H100, L40S, A40, RTX3090, and AMD MI300X.
For more information, visit: www.sharonai.com.
