Saturday, December 6, 2025

US LNG Power Plants 12-6-25

In 2025, there is a significant amount of natural gas power capacity under construction in the United States, including specific projects designed as LNG export terminals. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that several large LNG export projects are in various stages of construction, with some phases beginning operation during the year.  

The following LNG export projects reached final investment decision (FID) and are currently under construction or commissioning as of 2025: 

Plaquemines LNG Phase 2 (Venture Global) began shipping cargoes earlier in 2025, moving toward commercial operation. Phase 1 began exporting in late 2024 and was expected to be fully operational by April 2025.

Corpus Christi Stage III (Cheniere) started shipping its first cargoes earlier in 2025, with seven midscale trains expected to be in service by the end of 2026.

Golden Pass LNG (a joint venture between ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy) has faced delays, but LNG production is expected to begin around the end of 2025.

Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 (1.6 Bcf/d capacity) is under construction.

Rio Grande LNG (2.1 Bcf/d capacity) is under construction.

Woodside Louisiana LNG (2.2 Bcf/d capacity) is under construction.

CP2 Phase 1 (2.0 Bcf/d capacity) is also under construction, with expected completion in 2027. 

These facilities are primarily focused on liquefying natural gas for export rather than generating domestic electricity. For domestic power generation, hundreds of new gas-fired power units are in various stages of development or construction across the U.S. in 2025. 

In 2025, there is a significant push for new natural gas-fired power plants, with developers tracking around 160 proposed U.S. new-build projects scheduled to begin construction. 

This is a substantial increase in planned capacity, and several major projects have either recently begun operations or reached final investment decisions (FID) to begin construction. 

New Natural Gas Power Plants Under Construction

While the exact number of plants breaking ground at any given moment fluctuates, developers plan to add 1.6 gigawatts (GW) of capacity from four new gas-fired power plants in 2025 alone. Two of these, the Intermountain Power Project in Utah and Magnolia Power in Louisiana, are designed with the capability to co-fire with hydrogen. 

As of mid-2025, over 114,000 megawatts (MW) of natural gas capacity were under construction or in the pre-construction phase across the U.S.. 

LNG Export Terminals

A major driver for this increased natural gas demand is the expansion of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export terminals (which process gas for export, rather than burning it for domestic power). Several of these large-scale projects are under active construction or began shipping their first cargoes in 2025: 

Plaquemines LNG Phase 1 & 2

 in Louisiana began shipping cargoes in late 2024 and early 2025.

Corpus Christi Stage 3

 in Texas began shipping cargoes in early 2025.

Golden Pass LNG

 in Texas is expected to start production by the end of 2025 or early 2026. 

Additionally, five other major LNG export projects have reached a final investment decision (FID) in 2025, signaling that full construction is underway: 

Port Arthur LNG Phase 1

Rio Grande LNG

 (multiple phases)

Woodside Louisiana LNG

CP2 Phase 1

Overall, 2025 has been a record year for FIDs on U.S. LNG export capacity, with over 80 billion cubic meters per year of capacity approved for construction. 

What are the environmental concerns with these new LNG projects?

What policy changes in 2025 boosted US LNG FIDs?

Elaborate on hydrogen co-firing in new natural gas plants

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+many+lng+power+plants+are+being+built+in+the+us+in+2025

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

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