Vistra to Add 860 MW of New Gas-Fired Capacity at Permian Basin Plant

The expansion supports West Texas’ growing energy demand and advances Vistra’s $2 billion plan to add 3,100 MW of new capacity in ERCOT by 2028.

(P&GJ) — Vistra Corp. said it will build two new natural gas-fired power units at its Permian Basin Power Plant, a move that more than triples the site’s generation capacity to 1,185 megawatts.

The $1 billion investment decision marks a key step in Vistra’s multi-year plan to add more than 2,000 MW of new capacity in ERCOT by 2028. The new units, totaling 860 MW, will support rising electricity demand in West Texas, particularly from the oil and gas sector.

“As the leading competitive generator in Texas, customers from residential to commercial and industrial are turning to Vistra to help them meet their energy needs,” said Jim Burke, president and CEO of Vistra. “We are uniquely positioned to deliver solutions that provide reliable, affordable power to our residential customers as well as industries across Texas and the United States to ensure our economic competitiveness and national security.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott praised the project, calling it an investment that will “reinforce our state’s electric grid, spur jobs, and drive regional economic growth for years to come.”

The Permian Basin expansion is part of a larger slate of projects. Since 2020, Vistra has added about 1,000 MW in Texas through gas fleet upgrades and new solar projects. Additional efforts include a 200-MW Oak Hill solar facility set to begin operations later this year and the planned conversion of the retiring Coleto Creek coal plant into a 630-MW gas plant.

When completed, Vistra will have invested nearly $2 billion to add 3,100 MW of new generation capacity in Texas since 2020.