AUSTIN, Texas — Texas power officials are meeting in Austin this morning to grapple with a growing challenge: how to connect massive new electricity users tied to AI and data centers without overloading the grid during peak demand and emergencies.
ERCOT’s Large Load Working Group is meeting in Austin to discuss how to connect major power users while ensuring the grid can still handle high-demand days and emergencies. The discussion comes after months of conversations between ERCOT and lawmakers about whether new data centers will put more strain on the grid and whether the companies behind them should help pay for the power and transmission upgrades they need.
Some proposals on the group’s agenda focus on how large users could cut back when the grid needs relief…