The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has received 225 new large load interconnection requests in 2025, representing a 270 percent increase in megawatt demand since January, according to a December 2025 board presentationby Kristi Hobbs, ERCOT’s Vice President of System Planning and Weatherization.
Data Centers Dominate Growth
ERCOT is now tracking approximately 226 gigawatts of large loads seeking interconnection, compared to 63 gigawatts in December 2024. Data centers account for roughly 73 percent of these requests.
The surge includes multiple sites exceeding 1 gigawatt each. Total large load megawatt demand seeking interconnection by 2030 has grown by 142 gigawatts since the beginning of 2025.
Year-Over-Year Comparison
In 2025, ERCOT received 225 large load interconnection requests through mid-November, compared to just 152 requests during the entire 2022-2024 period combined.
The remaining large load requests beyond data centers include cryptocurrency mining operations, manufacturing facilities, and other industrial loads.
Grid Planning Implications
Hobbs noted that both transmission infrastructure and resource adequacy must be considered in determining how quickly large loads can connect and ramp up operations.
“PUC load forecasting rules will be instrumental in identifying credible loads that should be planned for,” the presentation stated.
Generation Interconnection Queue
ERCOT is also processing 1,999 active generation interconnection requests totaling 432 gigawatts. Solar and energy storage account for 77 percent of generation seeking interconnection:
- Energy Storage: 176 GW
- Solar: 158 GW
- Natural Gas: 48 GW (up from 26 GW in October 2024)
- Wind: 46 GW
- Other: 4 GW
Transmission Investment
As of October 31, 2025, ERCOT has endorsed transmission projects totaling $3.626 billion in 2025, reviewing more than double the number of projects compared to 2024.
Projects energized in 2025 total approximately $1.678 billion, following $2.435 billion energized in 2024.
Texas Energy Fund Progress
All eighteen Texas Energy Fund projects representing just over 7 gigawatts have submitted Full Interconnection Study applications. In November 2025, Pin Peaking became the first Texas Energy Fund project to receive Part 1 Approval to Energize.
Between 2024 and 2025, approximately 23 gigawatts of new generation resources synchronized to the ERCOT grid, with solar and battery storage accounting for most additions. Another 9.9 gigawatts has completed review requirements and intends to synchronize in the first half of 2026.
