Updated November 8, 2026. Facts are dated to their source.
What it is
Batch Zero is ERCOT's one-time, system-wide study of the reliability impact of large loads, 75 MW and up, that were waiting to connect when the one-at-a-time study process ended. It is the transition to a recurring batch process.[1] The PUCT approved it (PGRR145 and NPRR1325) on June 18, 2026, effective July 11, 2026.[2][3]
Base, studied, excluded
Every waiting load lands in one of three classes:[4]
- Base load: already energized, or with prior studies ERCOT deems complete and valid. Modeled as background load; no new allocation.
- Studied load: meets maturity or commitment criteria. Gets a reliability study and a megawatt allocation.
- Excluded: cannot receive approval for initial energization in this round and waits for a future batch.
Loads had to elect in through their transmission or distribution provider by July 10, 2026, and providers submitted packages to ERCOT by July 24.[4][5]
Who is in it
ERCOT issued conditional classifications on September 3, 2026: 204 projects (66.4 GW) as base load and 158 projects (127.9 GW) as studied load. Excluded load totaled 302.2 GW across 373 projects. The same deck shows studied load as 125.4 GW on a later slide.[5]
The study models 2028 through 2032, with full analysis for 2028, 2030 and 2032.[6]
The audit and pause
On August 3, 2026 the Governor directed the PUCT and ERCOT to verify and audit data centers in ERCOT's interconnection process before more are approved.[7] On August 20 the PUCT granted ERCOT three good-cause exceptions so it could issue classifications conditionally while verification runs.[5]
ERCOT paused energization of new large-load data centers and crypto mining facilities until verification, audit and the community impact review are complete.[5] ERCOT's August presentation counted 17 large loads, 6,608 MW of peak demand over five years, that had finished every ERCOT process except approval to energize. Loads that fail verification or do not respond are disqualified from Batch Zero.[8]
Much of the eligibility package was attestation. Under the adopted 16 TAC §25.194(j)(2), information that cannot be verified with documents can cost a customer its posted security and its allocated capacity.[10]
Key dates
- June 18, 2026: PUCT approves Batch Zero.[2]
- July 10, 2026: last day of the individual study process and of elections into Batch Zero.[3][4]
- July 24, 2026: provider packages due to ERCOT.[5]
- September 3, 2026: conditional classifications issued.[5]
- December 10, 2026: ERCOT files its eligibility verification report with the PUCT.[5]
- December 17, 2026: scheduled PUCT open meeting.[8]
- April 9, 2027: original study report date. ERCOT said in August it would not meet it; in September the new timeline was still to be determined.[6][9][5]
For the process around it, see Connecting a large load to ERCOT.
The record
16 of 46 first stated Texas power dates held. Every date, graded.
Building in Texas? Send the site, the megawatts and the date you were given. contact@pallara.xyz
Sources
- PGRR145 issue page. ERCOT, accessed Nov 8, 2026.
- Texas pauses data center interconnections pending statewide audit. Akin, Aug 2026.
- Market Notice M-B062326-01, PGRR145 and NPRR1325 approval. ERCOT, Jun 23, 2026.
- ERCOT approves implementing new Batch Zero process for large load interconnections. Willkie Farr & Gallagher, Jun 16, 2026.
- Batch Zero Update, Board of Directors item 14. ERCOT, Sep 14, 2026.
- Batch Zero Interconnection Study Scope, RPG. ERCOT, Jul 21, 2026.
- What Governor Abbott's data center audit directive means for ERCOT and the Batch Zero study process. Gibson Dunn, Aug 14, 2026.
- Batch Zero Verification and Audit, presentation to the PUCT. ERCOT, Aug 20, 2026.
- ERCOT, Texas PUC data center audit. Utility Dive, Aug 21, 2026.
- Documentation and financial security under §25.194. Pallara Research, Oct 10, 2026.
Pallara represents no applicant and takes no position on any project. Decision support, not legal advice. Corrections: contact@pallara.xyz.