Some $11 billion in spending has been identified for more than 186 projects in the planning stage, according to Houston's Industrial Information Resources (IIR). The vast majority, 77%, will go toward power plant construction, repairs and additions. Currently, there are 71 power industry projects scheduled to kick off in 2005 or beyond.

After the power industry, the pharmaceutical and biotech sector is the next most active market, with $1.1 billion in spending scheduled across 18 projects. Industrial manufacturing activity has the second largest number of projects slated, 60, representing some $285 million in investment.