When is the AI data center campus expected to be operational and how does it position NEED against other hyperscale providers in Texas?

Operational timeline – The term‑sheet with Thunderhead Energy calls for the 250 MW “behind‑the‑meter” power island to be built and the AI‑data‑center campus to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2025 (the press release cites a 12‑ to 18‑month build‑out after the agreement).

Competitive positioning – By securing its own 250 MW island, NEED (formerly New Era Helium) will be one of the few hyperscale‑ready developers in Texas that can guarantee dedicated, on‑site power – a critical differentiator for AI workloads that demand ultra‑reliable, low‑latency electricity. This gives NEED a foothold to attract hyperscale tenants (e.g., AI cloud providers, enterprise AI clusters) who are currently courting the state’s burgeoning AI‑data‑center corridor dominated by AWS, Microsoft, and Google. The self‑sufficient power model can translate into lower wholesale‑energy costs, higher margin on lease terms, and a “green‑by‑design” narrative that is increasingly important for large tech customers.

Trading implications – The Q4‑2025 “go‑live” acts as a near‑term catalyst; the market is likely to price in the incremental revenue from multiple megawatts of leaseable rack space once the campus is up. With sentiment already bullish (+70) and the partnership underscoring execution capability, a short‑to‑mid‑term upside target of 15‑20 % on current levels is reasonable, provided the broader AI‑infrastructure demand environment stays supportive. Watch for any updates on construction milestones (e.g., grid interconnection approval) that could tighten the timeline – a faster ramp would accelerate the upside, whereas permitting delays could cap the rally. A prudent entry could be on a pull‑back to the 20‑day moving average or on a breakout above the recent high, with a stop placed just below the 50‑day average to manage downside risk.