ERCOT's Load Interconnection Queue Explosion

Following our ERCOT Top Bottom spreads analysis, we're diving into ERCOT's large load interconnection queue - where the numbers reveal an infrastructure buildout of unprecedented scale.

The Queue Reality Check

ERCOT's large load interconnection queue has exploded from 2,634 MW in 2022 to a projected 188,233 MW by 2030 - a 71x increase in just eight years. Comparing July data to the same in June, we see that the MW in queue has gone up 9% in just the last month!

But here's what the July 2025 data really tells us:

• Under ERCOT Review: 60,858 MW (32% of total queue)
• No Studies Submitted: 106,247 MW (56% of total queue)
• Planning Studies Approved: 13,978 MW (7% of queue)
• Actually Energized: 4,616 MW (2.5% of queue)

What's Driving This?

The massive queue buildup reflects surging demand from data centers, industrial facilities, and electrification - but also highlights ERCOT's interconnection bottleneck. With 167,105 MW still in early stages (no studies or under review), the gap between demand and delivery is widening.

The Infrastructure Challenge

While the queue shows enormous growth potential, the reality is stark: less than 3% of queued capacity is actually operational. The 2025-2030 projection assumes smooth progression through studies and approvals - but current bottlenecks suggest significant delays ahead.

The Bottom Line

ERCOT's queue represents both massive opportunity and infrastructure reality check. For energy storage developers, this queue explosion signals where the market is heading - but also warns of the interconnection challenges that will define project timelines and success rates.

The gap between ambition (188 GW queued) and reality (4.6 GW energized) tells the real story of grid modernization challenges ahead.