Texas Grid Issues Dramatic Power Demand Growth Projection (1)

The Texas grid operator published a dramatic projection for power demand through 2032, based on proposed data-center construction in the state, implying that peak electricity usage would have to quadruple from current levels.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said peak demand may reach 367,790 megawatts in six years, a vast increase from the all-time peak of 85,508 megawatts reached in August 2023. Data centers will account for more than 60% of the projected increase, according to an Ercot presentation released Wednesday.

That magnitude of demand growth has never been seen before on a single US grid and would require ...