ERCOT Intelligence — Live Data

ERCOT Batch Zero:
The Transmission Reckoning

255 GW of data center requests concentrated in one utility territory. DC Hub's infrastructure intelligence reveals which sites will survive the allocation — and which won't.

Published March 23, 2026 · Updated continuously with live DC Hub data

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The Problem

85% of Texas demand. One utility. One corridor.

Oncor's data center queue is 8× its entire system peak. When ERCOT's Batch Zero allocates transmission capacity, the dilution will be severe.

Queue vs. System Peak by Utility

Data center queue relative to utility peak demand (GW)

Queue Concentration Share

Oncor holds 87% of Texas's estimated DC load queue

⚡ DC Hub Insight

A 1 GW request in the DFW corridor may receive only a fraction initially. Full capacity depends on 345/765 kV transmission upgrades arriving 2030–2032. Developers who site where megawatts are already deliverable — South Texas, Texas Plains, West Texas — face dramatically less dilution risk. DC Hub's infrastructure data quantifies this across every layer: substations, transmission lines, generation, gas pipelines, and fiber.

Site Intelligence

Where the megawatts actually are

Geography is the new competitive moat. DC Hub's infrastructure data reveals which corridors offer real deliverable capacity versus queue congestion.

⚠ Congested

DFW / I-35 Corridor

Oncor territory. Highest queue concentration in ERCOT. Severe dilution expected under Batch Zero allocation methodology.

DC Queue

255 GW

System Peak

31 GW

Queue / Peak

8.2×

Dilution Risk

Extreme

✓ Opportunity

South Texas & Texas Plains

AEP & CenterPoint territory. Abundant 345kV capacity, excess generation, minimal competing queue. Strong BTM generation potential via gas pipeline access.

Combined Queue

~38 GW

345kV Capacity

Abundant

Excess Generation

Available

Dilution Risk

Low

Timeline

Batch Zero Critical Path

ERCOT's first-ever batch allocation of transmission capacity to large loads. Every date a developer needs to know.

Mar 4, 2026

PGRR145 Published

Batch Zero Process for Large Load Interconnections formally proposed. Replaces sequential LLIS with coordinated, system-wide study.

May 1, 2026

Stability Assessment Deadline (Path 1)

Projects must be included in a Quarterly Stability Assessment or interim ride-through assessment to qualify.

May 2026

PRS / TAC / Board Votes

Critical governance votes. Approval authorizes Batch Zero implementation with target effective date of August 1.

Jul 15, 2026

Developer Information Deadline

Technical specs, site preparation attestations, and equipment procurement evidence due. Projects targeting Dec 2027 energization must demonstrate progress.

Aug 1, 2026

Batch Zero Effective Date

Full Batch Study rules and Batch Zero process take effect.

Early 2027

Preliminary MW Allocations

Year-by-year reliably served MW issued (2028–2032). Capacity based on transmission security analysis at each POI.

Mar 2027

Commitment Deadline

30 days after results to commit or withdraw. Financial responsibility locked. Withdrawn capacity not reallocated within Batch Zero.

2028–2032

Phased Capacity Delivery

Years 1–5 limited by existing transmission. Year 6+ assumes upgrades from RTP/RPG. Partial allocations common in constrained corridors.

🚨 Key Deadlines for Developers

May 1, 2026Stability assessment inclusion (Path 1 eligibility)
Jul 15, 2026Full project information + attestations due to ERCOT
Aug 2026ERCOT study validity review complete
Mar 2027Commit or withdraw — financial lock-in, no reallocation

Infrastructure Intelligence

What DC Hub tracks across ERCOT

Every data point on our Land & Power map is real, searchable, and continuously updated. No static images — live infrastructure intelligence.

⚡

79,755

Substations

HIFLD data with voltage class and location

🔌

56,108

Transmission Lines

EIA segments with voltage and owner data

🏭

13,446

Power Plants

EIA generators with fuel type and capacity

🛢️

50,554

Gas Pipeline Miles

EIA network for BTM generation analysis

🌐

1,069

Fiber Routes

13 carriers across 20 DC markets

DC Hub MCP — analyze_site

// "Analyze a 100MW data center site near Abilene, TX"

→ analyze_site(lat=32.45, lon=-99.73, state="TX", capacity_mw=100)

{

"overall_score": 78/100,

"power_infrastructure": 82 — 345kV subs within 15km, low congestion

"gas_pipeline_access": 85 — Multiple interstate pipelines, BTM viable

"fiber_connectivity": 62 — 3 carriers, growing market

"risk_resilience": 71 — Low flood risk, moderate wind

"market_conditions": 76 — $0.068/kWh industrial rate

"batch_zero_insight": "Low queue congestion in AEP territory.

Minimal dilution risk. Strong BTM generation potential."

}

ERCOT Batch Zero:The Transmission Reckoning