Texas Governor Greg Abbott issues a moratorium on new data center interconnections to ensure grid reliability.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive that paused new data center interconnections to manage the state's power grid. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is currently processing about 300 data centers of 75 MW or larger through a 'Batch Zero' process to determine their impact on long-term load forecasts. Chad Seely, the senior vice president of regulatory policy for ERCOT, stated that the grid operator is developing a request for information template to be sent to large loads by late August. This process aims to verify and audit data centers to ensure they do not overtax the grid, as current requests total 474 GW, which is significantly higher than the record peak electricity demand. Seely noted that while 17 large loads have already passed stability assessments, they still require final verification and audits. The administration announced that the goal is to deliver a comprehensive report to the Public Utility Commission of Texas by December 10.
Sources
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Abbott Says Data Centers 'Dug Their Own Grave'
Newser
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The Washington Post
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Politico
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Greg Abbott turned from data center 'epicenter' booster to skeptic—and Trump is calling it an economic 'mistake'
Fortune
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Texas’ data center, transmission line pauses could be risky
The Texas Tribune