Batch Zero

ERCOT's first large-load batch, explained

ERCOT is the first grid operator in the country to approve large loads in batches instead of one at a time. Batch Zero is the first group to go through it. Here's what it actually is, straight from ERCOT's own filings.

ERCOT has more than 438,000 MW of large-load requests on file. Almost 90% of that is data centers. The state's all-time peak demand record is 85,508 MW. That gap between what's requested and what the grid can actually deliver is why Batch Zero exists.

Why this exists

ERCOT used to study each large-load request on its own. As requests piled up, every new project could break the studies already done for projects ahead of it in line. That meant expensive restudies and delays. Batch Zero fixes this by studying everyone at once. ERCOT looks at every eligible project together and builds one transmission plan for what the grid can actually support.

Senate Bill 6, signed in 2025, is the law behind this. It tells the PUCT to set new interconnection rules, cost-sharing rules, and curtailment programs for any load over 75 MW. PGRR145 and NPRR1325 are how ERCOT turned that into an actual process.

Timeline

Sourced from ERCOT where we can. Unconfirmed dates are flagged.

2025 (signed, effective immediately)DONE

Senate Bill 6 signed into law

Tells the PUCT to set new interconnection rules and cost-sharing for large loads (75+ MW at one site), new rules for loads paired with existing power plants, and curtailment programs. This is the law Batch Zero is built on.

Source: Weil Gotshal & Manges energy alert, July 29, 2025

2026-03-04DONE

ERCOT files PGRR145 + NPRR1325

Two rule changes. One covers the study process, the other covers market rules. Together they set up Batch Zero.

Source: ERCOT PGRR145 issue page

2026-06-02DONE

Committee and Board adopt the rules

ERCOT's Technical Advisory Committee voted yes, unanimously. The Board adopted the rules the same day.

2026-06-18DONE

PUCT approves. Rules become final

The Public Utility Commission of Texas signed off. Batch Zero is now official.

Source: ERCOT Trending Topics, June 18, 2026

2026-07-10DONE

Batch Zero submission deadline

Last day to submit your paperwork if you want in on Batch Zero. That includes the Load Information Form, attestations, and load models. This date comes straight from ERCOT.

Source: ERCOT Trending Topics, June 18, 2026

2026-07-24 (reported, not confirmed by us)UNCONFIRMED

TSP/DSP submission deadline (secondary source)

Some industry coverage reports a July 24 deadline for the utility to finish and submit your paperwork to ERCOT. We couldn't find this date in ERCOT's own materials, so treat it as reported, not confirmed.

Source: ZeroEmissionGrid meeting summary, June 11, 2026

2026-08-07UPCOMING

ERCOT notifies classification

ERCOT tells each applicant whether it's Base Load, Studied Load, or Excluded.

Source: ERCOT Trending Topics, June 18, 2026

2027 springUPCOMING

Allocations provided

ERCOT tells each Batch Zero project how much power it can reliably get.

2027 Q2UPCOMING

Developer commitment deadline

Developers in Batch Zero have to put up financial security and prove they control the site, likely by June 2027.

2027 fallUPCOMING

Final transmission plan published

ERCOT publishes the final plan: who gets what power, and what grid upgrades are needed.

2027 summerUPCOMING

Batch 1 applications open

The next round opens for projects that missed or didn't qualify for Batch Zero.

How projects get classified

Base Load. Projects that already finished a prior interconnection study, or are already part of an approved regional study. Whatever capacity that earlier work earned them mostly carries over.

Studied Load. Projects with some study work done, but no locked-in allocation yet. The system-wide Batch Zero study decides what they get: full, partial, or a wait for a later batch.

Excluded Load. Projects that don't qualify as either have to wait for the next batch study, opening summer 2027.

Optional connection pathways

Two ways to connect faster, if you ease pressure on the grid.

WLPUN, Withdrawal-Limited Private Use Network. For loads bringing their own on-site power, like gas turbines or solar. That on-site generation reduces how much you need from the grid, so it's easier to connect at a higher level.

PCLR, Provisional Controllable Load Resource. For loads willing to let ERCOT dial down their power use when the local grid is under stress. In return, they can get access to the grid sooner, before a full transmission buildout finishes.

We update this page by hand, it isn't pulled from the deck data automatically. Double-check any filing deadline against ERCOT's own site before you rely on it. See methodology for how the rest of this site's numbers are sourced.