Texas Faces Grid Instability as Data Center Boom and Transmission Line Delays Threaten Energy Supply
Texas is grappling with significant challenges to its electrical grid due to a surge in data center development and political pushback against new transmission lines. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reports nearly 2,000 requests for grid connection, with 90% from data centers, representing a demand five times the grid's peak record. This rapid growth has overwhelmed ERCOT's forecasting capabilities, leading to an almost certainly overestimated future demand. Simultaneously, plans to build 765-kilovolt transmission lines across West Texas, intended to bolster capacity, are facing delays and calls for cancellation from local residents and some legislators concerned about land use. Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an audit of data centers seeking grid connections, further pausing ERCOT's efforts to streamline the approval process. This situation has created uncertainty for industries needing grid access and raised concerns about potential rolling blackouts, particularly in West Texas, where ... 
