ERCOT says it plans to complete governor's data center audit by December
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) plans to finalize a statewide audit of data centers and other large energy consumers by December, as directed by the Texas governor. This audit will examine energy and water usage, government incentives, ownership, and community impact. Some data centers are exempt from the governor's moratorium.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) announced an update on the governor's data center audit, with a target completion date of December. The audit follows new standards approved by ERCOT earlier this year, aiming to assess the impact of large and medium-sized energy consumers on the state's power grid.
ERCOT Senior Vice President Chad Seely noted the extensive information required, which includes data from an initial "Batch Zero" group of 250 to 300 large energy consumers, as well as 157 medium-sized consumers (25-75 megawatts) such as data centers and cryptocurrency miners. The audit will evaluate energy and water usage, government assistance, tax incentives, facility ownership, and community impacts, with findings to be presented to the commission, legislature, and governor's office.
The governor's moratorium on data centers does not apply to facilities already approved for connection to the ERCOT grid, those utilizing their own power generation, or data centers located outside the ERCOT grid's jurisdiction.