News Release

The future of ERCOT: 765 kV transmission expansion and fast-track interconnection set stage for unprecedented power growth

Texas power market forecast highlights how streamlined queue processes, incentive programs and transmission upgrades are reshaping the grid amid surging demand and electrification

byEnverus
October 7, 2025

CALGARY, Alberta (Oct. 7, 2025) Enverus Intelligence® Research (EIR), a subsidiary of Enverus, the most trusted energy-dedicated SaaS company that leverages generative AI across its solutions, has released a report analyzing the future of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), including its 765 kV transmission line expansion and evolving power market dynamics. The report reveals that ERCOT has added 22.5 GW of new capacity since January 2024—more than double its closest peer—and is planning for nearly 100 GW of solar and battery additions by 2030. The approval of a $33 billion 765 kV transmission backbone marks a strategic shift toward system-wide modernization, enabling faster interconnections and reducing curtailment risk.

“ERCOT’s aggressive buildout and transmission overhaul are not just about keeping pace with demand—they’re about redefining how power is delivered in Texas,” said Katherine Paton-Ilse, report author and Power Markets Lead at Enverus.

“The 765 kV backbone will be a foundational enabler for transporting renewable energy from remote hubs to high-growth urban centers.”

Key Takeaways:

  • ERCOT’s Connect and Manage process has enabled 22.5 GW of new capacity since Jan. 2024—75% more than MISO over the past five years.
  • Sub-10 MW projects reach operation nearly 4x faster than larger ones, with battery storage dominating the small generation queue.
  • Battery storage queue growth in ERCOT is accelerating, with developers favoring sub-10 MW projects to bypass traditional delays.
  • ERCOT’s 765 kV Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan (STEP) is expected to eliminate 1,400 miles of upgrades and save millions in congestion costs.
  • ERCOT forecasts 95.5 GW of solar and 101 GW of battery storage additions by 2030, though Enverus PRISM® models show lower probability-weighted completions.
  • The Texas Energy Fund (TEF), created to support dispatchable generation, due diligence process continues to be very active. Four projects were withdrawn in March, 2 projects were denied in April, and 4 additional projects were advanced to the due diligence process in April and May. The first 2 TEF loans were awarded this summer.

EIR’s analysis pulls from a variety of products including Enverus PRISM®, Enverus FOUNDATIONS® – Power & Renewables and Enverus MOSAIC.

You must be an Enverus Intelligence® subscriber to access this report.

About Enverus Intelligence® Research
Enverus Intelligence ® | Research, Inc. (EIR) is a subsidiary of Enverus that publishes energy-sector research focused on the oil, natural gas, power and renewable industries. EIR publishes reports including asset and company valuations, resource assessments, technical evaluations and macro-economic forecasts; and helps make intelligent connections for energy industry participants, service companies and capital providers worldwide. Enverus is the most trusted, energy-dedicated SaaS company, with a platform built to create value from generative AI, offering real-time access to analytics, insights and benchmark cost and revenue data sourced from our partnerships to 95% of U.S. energy producers, and more than 40,000 suppliers. Learn more at Enverus.com.

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