Which zones can actually absorb this load
Each card mixes three different datasets. We don't force them to line up when they don't. The grade is a simple average rank. The formula is printed right on the card, no black box.
West
BLarge loads waiting to connect82.2 GW
How long it's taken othersERCOT doesn't publish how long large loads like data centers take yet. This uses power-plant interconnection times in the same zone as the closest real-world stand-in.
Start to finishTime from first application to actually being allowed to draw power, start to finish.2.92 yr
After signing the agreementTime from signing the interconnection agreement (the formal construction contract) to actually being energized.1.71 yr
Typically runs late byHow much later projects actually came online compared to the completion date they originally filed.0.28 yr
Queue ahead of you181.0 GW · 761 projects
Years to clear at current pace52 yr
Based on this zone's own track record: 3.5 GW energized per year on average.
Grid stress signal (from electricity prices)
Expensive hoursShare of 15-minute periods in the past 12 months where wholesale power cost more than $100/MWh. A sign the local grid was strained.3.6%
Oversupplied hoursShare of 15-minute periods where power prices went below $0. Usually means too much wind and solar for the local demand to soak up.10.5%
Grade is the average rank across 3 of 3 factors (interconnection timeline, backlog vs. throughput, price stress). Every number above feeds directly into it. Nothing hidden.
North
BLarge loads waiting to connect56.8 GW
How long it's taken othersERCOT doesn't publish how long large loads like data centers take yet. This uses power-plant interconnection times in the same zone as the closest real-world stand-in.
Start to finishTime from first application to actually being allowed to draw power, start to finish.3.62 yr
After signing the agreementTime from signing the interconnection agreement (the formal construction contract) to actually being energized.1.75 yr
Typically runs late byHow much later projects actually came online compared to the completion date they originally filed.0.97 yr
Queue ahead of you148.1 GW · 680 projects
Years to clear at current pace50 yr
Based on this zone's own track record: 3.0 GW energized per year on average.
Grid stress signal (from electricity prices)
Expensive hoursShare of 15-minute periods in the past 12 months where wholesale power cost more than $100/MWh. A sign the local grid was strained.3.0%
Oversupplied hoursShare of 15-minute periods where power prices went below $0. Usually means too much wind and solar for the local demand to soak up.3.1%
Grade is the average rank across 3 of 3 factors (interconnection timeline, backlog vs. throughput, price stress). Every number above feeds directly into it. Nothing hidden.
South
CLarge loads waiting to connect60.9 GW
ERCOT doesn't break this zone out on its own. It's lumped into "Other."
How long it's taken othersERCOT doesn't publish how long large loads like data centers take yet. This uses power-plant interconnection times in the same zone as the closest real-world stand-in.
Start to finishTime from first application to actually being allowed to draw power, start to finish.3.62 yr
After signing the agreementTime from signing the interconnection agreement (the formal construction contract) to actually being energized.1.95 yr
Typically runs late byHow much later projects actually came online compared to the completion date they originally filed.1.1 yr
Queue ahead of you147.1 GW · 752 projects
Years to clear at current pace70 yr
Based on this zone's own track record: 2.1 GW energized per year on average.
Grid stress signal (from electricity prices)
Expensive hoursShare of 15-minute periods in the past 12 months where wholesale power cost more than $100/MWh. A sign the local grid was strained.2.4%
Oversupplied hoursShare of 15-minute periods where power prices went below $0. Usually means too much wind and solar for the local demand to soak up.2.3%
Grade is the average rank across 3 of 3 factors (interconnection timeline, backlog vs. throughput, price stress). Every number above feeds directly into it. Nothing hidden.
Houston
ALarge loads waiting to connect60.9 GW
ERCOT doesn't break this zone out on its own. It's lumped into "Other."
How long it's taken othersERCOT doesn't publish how long large loads like data centers take yet. This uses power-plant interconnection times in the same zone as the closest real-world stand-in.
Start to finishTime from first application to actually being allowed to draw power, start to finish.2.8 yr
After signing the agreementTime from signing the interconnection agreement (the formal construction contract) to actually being energized.1.67 yr
Typically runs late byHow much later projects actually came online compared to the completion date they originally filed.0.88 yr
Queue ahead of you25.4 GW · 105 projects
Years to clear at current pace29 yr
Based on this zone's own track record: 879 MW energized per year on average.
Grid stress signal (from electricity prices)
Expensive hoursShare of 15-minute periods in the past 12 months where wholesale power cost more than $100/MWh. A sign the local grid was strained.2.1%
Oversupplied hoursShare of 15-minute periods where power prices went below $0. Usually means too much wind and solar for the local demand to soak up.1.6%
Grade is the average rank across 3 of 3 factors (interconnection timeline, backlog vs. throughput, price stress). Every number above feeds directly into it. Nothing hidden.
Coastal
BLarge loads waiting to connect60.9 GW
ERCOT doesn't break this zone out on its own. It's lumped into "Other."
How long it's taken othersERCOT doesn't publish how long large loads like data centers take yet. This uses power-plant interconnection times in the same zone as the closest real-world stand-in.
Start to finishTime from first application to actually being allowed to draw power, start to finish.3.82 yr
After signing the agreementTime from signing the interconnection agreement (the formal construction contract) to actually being energized.1.84 yr
Typically runs late byHow much later projects actually came online compared to the completion date they originally filed.0.68 yr
Queue ahead of you52.0 GW · 255 projects
Years to clear at current pace40 yr
Based on this zone's own track record: 1.3 GW energized per year on average.
Grid stress signal (from electricity prices)
No price data for this zone.
Grade is the average rank across 2 of 3 factors (interconnection timeline, backlog vs. throughput). Every number above feeds directly into it. Nothing hidden.
Panhandle
DLarge loads waiting to connect60.9 GW
ERCOT doesn't break this zone out on its own. It's lumped into "Other."
How long it's taken othersERCOT doesn't publish how long large loads like data centers take yet. This uses power-plant interconnection times in the same zone as the closest real-world stand-in.
Start to finishTime from first application to actually being allowed to draw power, start to finish.3.93 yr
After signing the agreementTime from signing the interconnection agreement (the formal construction contract) to actually being energized.2.5 yr
Typically runs late byHow much later projects actually came online compared to the completion date they originally filed.0.99 yr
Queue ahead of you38.1 GW · 107 projects
Years to clear at current pace90 yr
Based on this zone's own track record: 424 MW energized per year on average.
Grid stress signal (from electricity prices)
No price data for this zone.
Grade is the average rank across 2 of 3 factors (interconnection timeline, backlog vs. throughput). Every number above feeds directly into it. Nothing hidden.
ERCOT splits the grid into zones differently depending on the dataset. They don't always line up. When a card says a number isn't available, that's real, not a bug. See methodology.