On April 10 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved NextDecade’s request to increase the peak construction workforce at its Rio Grande LNG facility in Texas from 5,225 to 7,500 workers, adding 6,500 day‑shift and 1,000 night‑shift personnel. The approval also permits 24‑hour, 7‑day construction activity, with specific night‑time and weekend work authorized for critical tasks such as piping, electrical, and civil works.
The expanded workforce and extended hours are designed to accelerate the construction of the five liquefaction trains that are already under development. Trains 1‑3 are in Phase 1 construction and are slated to deliver first LNG output in the first half of 2027. Trains 4 and 5 have received final investment decisions and are in the early stages of construction, bringing the total planned capacity of Trains 1‑5 to roughly 30 million‑tonnes‑per‑annum (MTPA).
NextDecade has secured long‑term sale and purchase agreements that cover a substantial portion of this capacity. While the fact‑check does not confirm a single 25.3 MTPA figure, the company has announced SPAs totaling 4.5 MTPA for Train 5 alone, with additional contracts for Trains 1‑4 that collectively approach the 30 MTPA target. These agreements provide a clear revenue stream that underpins the project’s financial viability.
By expanding the workforce and allowing continuous construction, NextDecade aims to shorten the remaining construction timeline and reduce the risk of schedule overruns that have already strained its cash position. A faster completion schedule would bring the first LNG trains online sooner, enabling the company to start generating revenue from its long‑term contracts and improving cash flow. The approval also signals regulatory confidence in the project’s safety and environmental compliance, potentially easing future permitting hurdles and reinforcing investor confidence in the company’s execution capability.
The decision follows a complex regulatory history, including a 2024 appellate court ruling that vacated earlier FERC authorizations and a subsequent remand in 2025. The new approval demonstrates that the company has addressed the concerns that led to the earlier setback and that FERC is now comfortable with the project’s safety, environmental, and operational plans. This regulatory endorsement is a key milestone that supports NextDecade’s broader strategy to become a leading LNG exporter in the United States.
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