Louisiana to get 2.88 GW gas plant, 700 MW battery system near planned SpaceX base

Advanced nuclear energy firm ONE Nuclear has secured site control for a 2.88 GW power project in Louisiana that will also include a massive battery storage system and a co-located data center campus. The project, called Project Cayman, is being developed near Louisiana’s RiverPlex MegaPark and northeast of SpaceX’s recently announced infrastructure expansion. ONE Nuclear said it has signed a binding letter of intent with a Louisiana landowner group for the site. The battery system would have 2.88 gigawatt-hours of storage capacity, allowing it to store electricity and deliver it when needed. The gas plant would provide dispatchable power for the project and nearby industrial loads, while the co-located data center campus is expected to add significant demand for electricity. The development comes as Louisiana prepares for a wave of new industrial and technology projects that will require substantial amounts of reliable power. Louisiana targets growing power demand ONE Nuclear said Project Cayman is being developed alongside major transmission investments planned by Entergy in the region. The company expects the combination of new generation, energy storage and transmission capacity to strengthen the local grid as electricity demand rises. The project is also being positioned near several large developments, including SpaceX’s Starbase project and Hyundai’s planned $5.8 billion steel mill. “Project Cayman, with its 2.88 GW power capacity, demonstrates that ONE Nuclear is committed to supporting the future economic development of one of Louisiana’s most important industrial regions,” said Richard Taylor, CEO of ONE Nuclear. “The project will deliver the reliable energy needed to support new investment, create jobs, expand the local tax base and generate additional funding for community priorities and critical infrastructure.” The company has not provided a construction timeline or an estimated cost for Project Cayman. The announcement currently represents site control and continued development rather than confirmation that the full power complex is under construction. Gas, batteries power data centers The project’s design reflects a growing push to place power generation and large electricity-consuming facilities closer together. Data centers can require substantial and continuous electricity supplies, while battery systems can provide additional flexibility during periods of high demand or grid stress. ONE Nuclear said the project is intended to provide scalable energy infrastructure for Louisiana’s expanding industrial and technology sectors. “ONE Nuclear is proud to invest in the region to support the rapidly growing energy needs created by other recently announced developments such as the SpaceX Starbase project and Hyundai’s $5.8 billion steel mill,” Taylor said. The company said community outreach is already underway. Public information meetings with local parishes, government agencies and other stakeholders are expected to take place from September through December 2026. Project Cayman is part of ONE Nuclear’s broader strategy to develop utility-scale natural gas and advanced nuclear generation for industrial and grid applications. The company says its platform is designed to provide fast-to-market power while also pursuing advanced nuclear technologies.ONE Nuclear is also pursuing a business combination with Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VII. Hennessy VII shareholders approved the transaction on August 24, 2026, with the combined company expected to trade under the ticker ONEN following the anticipated closing in the second half of 2026, subject to customary conditions.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.