Texas Large Load Queue Continues Phenomenal Growth, Texas Grid Roundup #83

Large load queue hits 225 gigawatts with no signs of slowing down; PUC staff files discussion draft on large load interconnection; ERCOT board to consider more extra high voltage transmission.

In this issue of the Grid Roundup:

• In a presentation for the ERCOT Board next week, ERCOT staff says the large load queue is now up to 225 gigawatts with 30 gigawatts — roughly a New York worth of demand — added in the last two months;

• PUC Staff filed a discussion draft Monday to regulate the large load interconnection process. Comments are due December 19; and

• In their meeting next week, the ERCOT Board will vote on the eastern half of the Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan, a plan to build a statewide network of the first 765-kV lines in Texas.

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Large load queue continues phenomenal growth

In February the large load queue hit 99 gigawatts. Only nine months later, it has swelled to 225 gigawatts.

In February, there were a little over 6 GW energized or approved to energize, today that number is 6.6 GW in 2025 with another 600 megawatts scheduled to energize in 2026 (see the table at the bottom of the slide below). The queue has grown 125% but the total number of megawatts energized is up less than 10% this year and, at least for now, only projected to grow 10% next year.