NEWS: The Texas PUC has floated strict standards for utilities seeking to link large loads to ERCOT.

The proposed rules: Before large loads (75MW or greater) can be considered for interconnection, they would have to hand over a whole laundry list of info, including: 1) whether they’re pursuing similar requests elsewhere and 2) their plans to procure power (onsite or via ERCOT). Officials also want to require plenty of collateral: $50K/MW of the requested peak demand.

Zoom out: ERCOT is now considering some 470 GW in interconnection requests, the vast majority from data centers. This prompted Gov. Greg Abbott to lay down the law in early August—he directed ERCOT and the TX PUC to audit all data centers in the queue. Now, these draft rules reflect Abbott’s relatively quick switch-up on hyperscalers.