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

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 Four projects were withdrawn in March, 2 projects were denied in April, and 4 additional projects were advanced to the due diligence process in April and May.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.

Picture of Enverus

Enverus

Energy’s most trusted SaaS platform — creating intelligent connections that uncover insights and opportunities to deliver extraordinary outcomes.

Related News

Off the grid, on the gas
News Release
ByJon Haubert

EIR forecasts 62 GW of new U.S. data center capacity by 2030, as grid constraints drive behind-the-meter natural gas generation and demand growth.

Cheaper to buy: Gas plant acquisitions remain well below newbuild costs
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research finds existing gas-fired power assets are trading at roughly half the cost of new CCGT construction, supporting incumbent valuations and challenging merchant newbuild economics.

Asia pays up after Qatari LNG loss
News Release
ByJon Haubert

EIR analysis finds Asian LNG buyers have mostly absorbed lost Qatari supply through higher-cost replacement cargoes, with demand rationing concentrated among more price-sensitive importers.

Enverus acquires A2D well log library from TGS, connecting subsurface data to energy decision workflows
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Enverus acquires the world's largest well log library from TGS, connecting three decades of subsurface data, formation tops and petrophysics to production, completions and economics workflows.

U.S. natural gas prices face power demand drag
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence Research says U.S. natural gas prices face pressure as power demand underperforms, while LNG exports remain the key offset to resilient supply.

Enverus ranks top U.S. private E&P operators
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Enverus released its annual Top 100 Private E&P Operators list, ranking U.S. private oil and gas producers by production, well count and rig activity.

Enverus acquires PDS exchange assets, expanding its operating network across U.S. energy markets
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Enverus acquires four PDS Energy Information exchange platforms, expanding secure data exchange for completions, well, production and water data.

800 VDC rewrites AI data center power economics
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research analyzes how 800 VDC architecture could lower AI data center electrical capex, improve facility efficiency and reduce copper intensity.

Enverus cuts U.S. EV adoption forecast due to federal policy changes and slower market growth
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research’s latest EV forecast shows how slower U.S. adoption after federal tax credit changes shifts grid load timing, regional ISO exposure and ICE vehicle displacement through 2035.

Find Out How Enverus Can Help Your Business
Subscribe to the Energy Blog

A weekly update on the latest “no-fluff” insight and analysis of the energy industry.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Get Started

Sign up for our Blog

Ready to Subscribe?

Ready to Get Started?