Curated reference and analysis. Last full review: June 17, 2026
Verify all figures against ISO sources before relying on them for project decisions.
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ERCOT

Electric Reliability Council of Texas · Most of Texas
www.ercot.com/Last updated: 2026-06-17Tier:FavorableConfidence:Medium
Bottom line

Fastest generation interconnection in the country and the most data-center demand outside PJM, but SB6's new financial and curtailment rules add cost and the curtailment risk is real.

Author analysis. Review against primary sources before relying on this for project decisions.

Verified facts and placeholders

Facts
Total queue MW
453,562 MWas of 2026-06-17
Total queue projects
2,008as of 2026-06-17
Avg interconnection wait
4.2 yearsas of 2026-06-17
Large-load queue MW
410,000 MWas of 2026-06-17
Queue status
reform-in-progress
Large-load posture
Developing
Generation queue notes
As of Feb. 28, 2026, ERCOT reported 2,008 active generation interconnection requests totaling 453,562 MW: 177,642 MW storage, 162,927 MW solar, 47,793 MW wind, and 60,715 MW gas. Connect-and-manage model keeps generation interconnection comparatively fast.
Large-load posture rationale
ERCOT is tracking approximately 410 GW of large-load requests seeking interconnection as of Mar. 26, 2026, with ~87% identified as data centers. Senate Bill 6 and PUCT draft rule 16 TAC 25.194 move large loads toward financial-security, site-control, batch-study, and curtailment requirements for loads 75 MW+.
Primary source
www.ercot.com/gridinfo/resource

Analyst read

Editorial analysis
Tier
Favorable
Rationale
Fastest generation interconnection in the country and the most data-center demand outside PJM, but SB6's new financial and curtailment rules add cost and the curtailment risk is real.
What's working
  • Connect-and-manage model and ~4.2 yr timelines are among the fastest in the U.S.
  • Deep solar, storage, and gas generation pipeline: 453,562 MW active requests as of Feb. 28, 2026.
What's working against
  • SB6 imposes $50,000/MW security, strict site control, and mandatory curtailment exposure on large loads.
  • Energy-only market and curtailment risk mean less firm reliability guarantee than other ISOs.
One thing to watch
PUCT's final SB6 large-load rule, due by Dec 31, 2026, and how aggressively curtailment is applied.
Analyst note
ERCOT is the speed play: if you can tolerate curtailment risk and post the financial security, Texas still moves faster than anywhere else and has the generation pipeline to back it. SB6 is raising the bar for entry, which will thin the speculative requests but also raise real project cost.

Major announced projects in this market

Exhibit 2 · supporting

Recent reforms

Source-backed
  1. 2025-06
    Senate Bill 6 signed

    Directs PUCT to create large-load interconnection standards, transparency requirements, financial security, and mandatory/voluntary curtailment programs for loads 75 MW+.

    Source
  2. 2026-03
    PUCT draft rule 16 TAC 25.194

    PUCT published draft large-load interconnection rule March 12, 2026 requiring $50,000/MW financial security, 5-yr-plus site control, and intermediate agreements before study. Comments due April 17, 2026.

    Source

Upcoming milestones

Source-backed
  1. 2026-12
    PUCT rulemaking deadline

    PUCT must complete SB6 large-load rulemaking (Project 58481/58317) by Dec 31, 2026. After 2026, only large loads with executed interconnection agreements count in the load forecast.

    Source
  2. ongoing
    765-kV Permian Basin backbone

    ERCOT developing a 765-kV transmission backbone to support the Permian Basin region's load growth.

    Source

Sources & last updated

Provenance
Last updated
2026-06-17
Primary source
https://www.ercot.com/gridinfo/resource
Source registry