• ERCOT had planned to confirm Batch Zero applicants this week and allocate available power by spring 2027
  • The pause leaves developers without confirmed grid capacity or an energisation schedule

The fact

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has paused new data-centre grid approvals while the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT conduct an audit. The review will examine project ownership, water use, cooling systems and tax incentives. No deadline has been set. The order has also delayed ERCOT’s Batch Zero study, which groups large electricity users seeking connections to the Texas grid. ERCOT had expected to confirm eligible projects this week and allocate available capacity by spring 2027. Applications could total as much as 200GW, although ERCOT expects about 65GW to be built by 2032.

The assessment

Batch Zero was supposed to tell each qualifying project how much power it could receive and when that capacity would be available. Until ERCOT completes that work, developers cannot tie construction and commissioning plans to a confirmed energisation date. Land, financing and design work may continue, but none of those steps secures a grid connection.

ERCOT has not said whether projects already in Batch Zero will keep their place or whether applicants must submit new information. If the queue remains intact, the immediate effect is a later allocation date. If the study restarts under new requirements, developers may need to update their applications before ERCOT assigns power. For BTW readers, the pause leaves project schedules incomplete. Developers may continue securing land, finance and contractors, but they cannot set a dependable commissioning date until ERCOT resumes Batch Zero and assigns capacity.

What to watch

ERCOT and the PUC have not published the audit timetable, reporting requirements or treatment of existing Batch Zero applications. Developers will look for confirmation that previous submissions, fees and queue positions remain valid. A new allocation date will indicate how far the pause has moved expected energisation schedules.