ERCOT Drastically Increases 2030 Electricity Demand Estimate, Driven Largely by Data Center Growth

Brad Johnson | Source: The Texan | Posted 04/09/2025

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In two years, projected 2030 electricity demand has increased nearly 100,000 megawatts.

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The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has significantly raised its electricity demand forecast for 2030, predicting a surge to 208,000 megawatts (MW), a 40% increase from current levels. This dramatic rise is primarily attributed to the anticipated growth of data centers, which are expected to require an additional 48,000 MW to support the expanding online economy and advancements in artificial intelligence. The current data center capacity is minimal, projected to leap from nearly zero to 78,000 MW within five years.

As Texas experiences rapid population growth and economic expansion, the state's power grid faces increasing strain. The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill (SB) 6 to establish guidelines for data center interconnections to the ERCOT grid, though the industry views this as potentially burdensome regulation. Recent legislative sessions have focused on reforms to enhance the grid's resilience and promote new energy technologies, including solar power and advanced nuclear reactors, to accommodate the rising electricity demand driven by data centers.

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Source Link: https://thetexan.news/issues/energy/ercot-drastically-increases-2030-electricity-demand-estimate-driven-largely-by-data-center-growth/article_421df6f1-8063-4bf8-9a19-717fa35db919.html

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ERCOT Drastically Increases 2030 Electricity Demand Estimate, Driven Largely by Data Center Growth

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