ERCOT to Audit Texas Data Centers by December

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas plans to complete a governor-mandated audit of data centers by December. During a commission meeting on Thursday, the grid manager and the Public Utility Commission of Texas detailed plans to verify data from 250 to 300 large energy consumers categorized as Batch Zero, the first group to connect to the grid under new standards.

The audit will evaluate energy and water usage, government assistance, tax incentives, ownership, and community impact. This data collection extends to medium-sized energy consumers requesting between 25 and 75 megawatts, including cryptocurrency miners. Chad Seely, Senior Vice President of ERCOT, noted that the process involves a tremendous amount of information that must be analyzed to provide findings for the commission, the legislature, and the governor's office.

The initiative is part of a broader moratorium on new data centers. However, the audit excludes facilities already approved for construction, those utilizing independent power generation, or those located outside the ERCOT grid.