PUCT Approves “Batch Zero” Framework That Will Provide A Pathway For Large Load To Connect To The Grid And Receive Electricity

On June 18, 2026, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved two Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) protocol revisions that establish a new “batch” study interconnection framework for large electricity loads of 75 MW or greater. The prior project-by-project approach had generated a growing backlog of unresolved requests, repeated restudies, and prolonged uncertainty in the face of unprecedented growth in large load interconnection requests. The new framework resolves that by delivering a structured, time-bound process with binding interconnection capacity megawatt (MW) allocations expected by April 2027, meaningful optionality in how qualifying large loads structure their interconnection rights, and formal accommodations for co-located and onsite generation arrangements that allow the reduced capacity needs at those interconnections to be reflected in the study process.