Data Center Construction Halted in Texas

This is what Ixbt.com reports .

According to ixbt.com, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has sent a special directive to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Under the directive, all data center projects awaiting grid connections must undergo a strict audit.

Unprecedented Pressure on the Power System

More than 1,800 projects are currently waiting for grid connections under ERCOT oversight. Their combined capacity exceeds 474 gigavatt. This is more than five times the highest peak in electricity consumption recorded in the state’s history.

Experts say data centers account for nearly 90% of the projects in the queue. However, most have not yet reached the construction stage and remain primarily in the initial planning phase.

What Will the Audits Cover?

• Information about the tax incentives received by operators
• Electricity consumption and generation volumes
• Water usage and cooling system characteristics
• Measures to reduce the impact on local communities
• The identities of the facilities’ actual owners

According to the Texas Tribune, at least 335 active data centers are currently operating in the state, while construction of another 248 facilities is planned. The remaining more than 1,000 projects are developments at various stages.

Officials have not yet announced how long these large-scale reviews will take. The audit results are expected to significantly influence the state’s future policies on digital infrastructure development and energy security.