On November 6, 2026, the San Antonio Express-News reported that ERCOT was investigating whether data-center developers had reduced proposed project sizes to stay below the reported 75-megawatt threshold for large-load review. Projects below that line can seek grid connections directly through utilities, according to the account.
What the 75 MW threshold means
The reported process puts medium-size loads below the cutoff and larger loads at or above it. ERCOT classifies medium-size loads as 25 MW to just under 75 MW; loads of 75 MW or more fall under its large-load review process.
| Reported load category | Capacity | Connection process described |
| Medium-size load | 25 MW to just under 75 MW | Can seek connection through utilities |
| Large load | 75 MW or more | ERCOT large-load review |
ERCOT reportedly identified a concentration of proposed projects in the 60–74.9 MW range, though the account did not give a count. Chad Seely, an ERCOT executive, told commissioners that nearly 10 GW of medium-size projects were seeking utility connections.
The question here concerns grid interconnection. It is separate from the Texas permitting action discussed in NeoTeo’s earlier coverage of data-center delays.
The 75 MW line separates the reported connection routes; the 177 GW figure comes from a different questionnaire and counts requested capacity.
What the 132 requests covered
ERCOT sent 132 information requests to transmission and distribution service providers about medium-size projects. The requests sought each project’s size, location and planned energization date, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
How the inquiry differs from the Batch Zero audit
The account describes the threshold inquiry and a broader audit of large industrial loads in the first group of projects under the Batch Zero interconnection study process as separate efforts.
For the Batch Zero audit, ERCOT sent an initial information round to more than 257 developers in September, and all responded. ERCOT was reviewing about 5,100 questions and responses and planned to send a second request round to about 80% of those developers, with a five-business-day response period.
A separate community-impact questionnaire covered about 465 projects. Responses came in for 433 projects; 32 developers working on medium-size projects did not respond. The 433 responding projects represented 177 GW of requested interconnection capacity. That figure describes proposed capacity, not projects already built or connected.
What could follow
Seely said the inquiry’s findings could prompt the Public Utility Commission of Texas to consider requirements for loads below 75 MW. He also described possible transmission-planning and operational risks if more data centers seek connections below that threshold.
