New Era Helium Advances Permian Basin AI Data Center Strategy with Power MOU and Board Realignment to Support Data Center Vision

By: New Era Helium, Inc. via Business Wire

June 04, 2025 at 07:00 AM EDT

New Era Helium, Inc. (Nasdaq: NEHC) (“NEHC” or the “Company”), a next-gen exploration and production platform in the Permian Basin, today announced that the Texas Critical Data Centers, LLC (“TCDC”) joint venture has entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with PowerForward Energy Solutions (“PFES”) to provide 250MW of on-site generation capacity to power its planned AI and high-performance computing (“HPC”) campus in Ector County, Texas.

TCDC, the joint venture established between New Era Helium and Sharon AI, Inc. in 2024, is focused on building a 250MW data center to support the rapidly growing demand for AI and cloud GPU infrastructure. Under the terms of the MOU, signed on April 23, 2025, PFES has agreed to manufacture, install, and operate 250MW of generation assets at the TCDC site, with the first 100MW targeted for delivery within 12 months of funding and full deployment expected within 18 months.

PFES is a joint venture between Progen Industries, a U.S.-based manufacturer of natural gas-fired engine-driven generators, and MBS Engineering, Inc. The partners bring more than 70 years of combined experience in delivering resilient, distributed power solutions for critical infrastructure.

Work at the site continues to progress, including the completion of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and ongoing planning for air permitting. NEHC, Sharon AI, and PFES are also jointly evaluating carbon capture technologies. TCDC is in active discussions with potential customers, including parties interested in acquiring powered land for near-term deployment. Near-term milestones include securing natural gas supply agreements and advancing interconnection planning with regional grid partners.

Recent Board Transitions

Board members Bill Flores, Phil Kornbluth, and Stan Borowiec have recently stepped down from the Board of Directors. Mr. Flores resigned due to a potential conflict with his leadership role at a state regulatory body as New Era Helium advances its data center initiative. Mr. Kornbluth and Mr. Borowiec, both respected helium industry experts, stepped away as the Company broadens its strategy to include natural gas and digital infrastructure in addition to its core helium business. A search is actively underway to appoint new board members whose experience aligns with New Era Helium’s evolving growth strategy.

E. Will Gray II, CEO of New Era Helium Inc., commented: “With the initial site now identified and due diligence well underway, TCDC is positioned to execute on its planned power strategy for the behind-the-meter data center campus. Concurrently, TCDC is in negotiations to secure offtake from intrastate and interstate natural gas transmission lines located in close proximity to the property. We are excited about what we are building in Ector County and believe that access to low-cost, reliable power is key to attracting top-tier partners. As we expand our strategic focus to include natural gas and data center infrastructure, we are positioning New Era Helium to deliver long-term value across multiple energy verticals.”

Wolf Schubert, CEO of Sharon AI Inc., said: “We are excited to announce our collaboration with PowerForward Energy Solutions, who bring considerable power experience to the project. We believe their ability to deliver substantial capacity over 12-18 months allows us to offer a highly commercial solution to customers looking to deploy as soon as feasible.”

Brian James and John Manning, Founders, PowerForward Energy Solutions, commented: “We are at the forefront of a generational shift in how America produces and consumes power. As AI, cloud, and high-density computing reshape the industrial landscape, the demand for resilient, on-site generation is no longer optional – it is essential. PowerForward is proud to partner with TCDC to deliver the next chapter of power infrastructure: intelligent, integrated, and built for the future.”

About New Era Helium, Inc.

New Era Helium, Inc. is a next-gen exploration and production platform unlocking the full value of its Permian Basin assets. The Company controls over 137,000 acres in Southeast New Mexico, with more than 1.5 Bcf of proved and probable helium reserves sourced alongside natural gas production. Through its joint venture, Texas Critical Data Centers, LLC, NEHC is capturing multi-sector growth across helium, power, and data infrastructure. 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 and Cloud GPU Compute Infrastructure. Sharon AI has a hybrid operational model that sees it deploy in 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

About PowerForward Energy Solutions

PowerForward Energy Solutions is dedicated to shaping a sustainable energy future through innovative power solutions. Formed as a strategic partnership between PROGEN INDUSTRIES and MBS ENGINEERING, the company's mission is to deliver comprehensive, turn-key power solutions that address the diverse needs of today’s energy landscape. The company's combined expertise in engineering and industry-leading manufacturing allows it to provide custom solutions that enhance energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “seek,” “predict,” “continue,” “possible,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” would” or “should” or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this press release and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our product candidates, commercialization objectives, prospects, strategies and the industry in which we operate. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and may not be accurate indications of when such performance or results will be achieved. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.