Texas Governor Greg Abbott just ordered a pause on approving new data center projects via the state's grid interconnection process over concerns that a surge in electricity demand could threaten reliability amid growing opposition to the projects.
The timing couldn't be worse - as Texas is on the cusp of becoming one of the world's largest hubs for data-centers, with Reuters citing industry forecasts that it could surpass Virginia by 2030 thanks to abundant land, energy, and a business-friendly environment.
In a letter to the Public Utility Commission of Texas and grid operator ERCOT sent Monday, Abbott directed the agencies to conduct an audit of all planned data centers seeking grid connections before any more facilities are allowed to move forward.
ERCOT is currently reviewing roughly 474 gigawatts of proposed new electricity demand, more than five times the state's record peak load, the governor said, adding that about 90% of the requests are from data centers. -Reuters
Under Abbott's directive, developers will now need to provide 'more info on power demand, water use, tax incentives, ownership, and efforts to mitigate local impacts'
As POWER Magazine noted earlier (serious ins
