CenterPoint Energy announced a sweeping new affordability plan Monday, projecting more than $5 billion in savings for Texas electric customers over the next decade - driven largely by an influx of large-load customers, including data centers, that would shoulder a greater share of the state's fixed grid costs.

The Houston-based utility is calling the effort its "Customer Savings Initiative." At the heart of the plan is the projected addition of up to 14 gigawatts of ERCOT-eligible base load and studied load projects.

The idea is straightforward: more large customers connecting to the grid means fixed infrastructure costs get spread across a broader base - which, in theory, translates to lower bills for residential customers, small businesses, and commercial users across Greater Houston.