PMDD and Exceed Geo Energy Sign Historic 110-Megawatt Geothermal Agreement in Presidio
By: Robert Buluma
Presidio, Texas is on the verge of an energy and economic revolution. On May 22, the Presidio Municipal Development District (PMDD) and Exceed Geo Energy signed a transformative 110-megawatt geothermal power purchase agreement (PPA) term sheet—an ambitious commitment that promises to redefine the region’s future.
This groundbreaking framework, unveiled during the inaugural “Presidio Vision 2035” student competition, will provide Presidio with reliable, clean, and constant power, far surpassing current local demand. More importantly, it lays the foundation for attracting industries like data centers, manufacturing plants, refrigerated logistics, and agricultural processing facilities to this vital U.S.–Mexico trade corridor.
A New Era of Clean Energy and Economic Growth
John T. Kennedy, Executive Director of PMDD, emphasized the transformative scale of this agreement:
“This 110-megawatt commitment represents far more than meeting our current energy needs. We’re creating the foundation for transformative economic growth: the kind of reliable, clean power that can support data centers, refrigerated logistics, expanded manufacturing, and value-added processing facilities.”
Backed by last year’s geothermal resource assessment conducted by the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, Presidio now has the technical validation and the momentum to become the site of the first geothermal development of this scale in the region.
Tim Tarver, CEO of Exceed Geo Energy, highlighted the broader vision:
“This project isn’t just about energy—it’s about building real economic opportunities so communities like Presidio can thrive.”
Reliability Where It’s Needed Most
Presidio, sitting at the edge of the ERCOT grid, has endured years of power insecurity and outages. Unlike intermittent energy sources such as wind or solar, geothermal offers continuous, dependable power generation.
The planned facility will not only secure the region’s electricity needs but could also serve as a blackstart resource—helping to restore power to the Texas grid during major outages. This positions Presidio as both a local energy stronghold and a contributor to statewide resilience.
Students Shaping the Future
The signing coincided with the “Presidio Vision 2035” competition, where middle and high school students presented ambitious visions for their community.
- A seventh-grade team won the $1,000 first prize with a model combining sustainable energy, water systems, agriculture, and tourism.
- Judges included local leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts such as Dr. Mayank Tyagi of Louisiana State University and Dr. Ken Wisian of the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology.
- Several projects explored needs like new medical facilities, expanded retail options, and advanced clean energy integration.
Alexis Amancio, Presidio High School Career Advisor and competition organizer, noted how the event bridged classroom learning with real-world innovation, inspiring students to think beyond limits.
What’s Next
The agreement envisions commercial operations beginning in late 2026. The rollout will start with 9.9 megawatts before scaling to the full 110 MW capacity.
PMDD Board President Alonso Hernandez captured the spirit of the milestone:
“The timing of this agreement during the student competition reflects our dual commitment: investing in future generations while building the infrastructure for long-term prosperity.”
With its geothermal potential, cross-border trade advantages, and access to metropolitan markets, Presidio is now positioned to become a hub for:
- Data centers requiring ultra-reliable power
- Refrigerated logistics for agricultural and trade goods
- Manufacturing plants leveraging trade corridor access
- Agricultural processing facilities adding value to raw products before they reach global markets
About the Partnership
- Presidio Municipal Development District (PMDD): Established under Texas law to foster economic growth and infrastructure development.
- Exceed Geo Energy: A Texas-based geothermal developer focused on clean, reliable energy solutions.
- Presidio Vision 2035: A new annual competition designed to inspire student-led innovation, with winning ideas potentially guiding future development projects.
Presidio’s geothermal journey represents more than just power generation—it’s a blueprint for how small communities can leverage clean energy to unlock global opportunities.
As the first wells prepare for drilling, one thing is certain: Presidio is no longer just at the edge of the grid—it’s at the forefront of the future.
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