Data · Datacenter Dynamics
ERCOT and MISO forecast major increases in peak load, driven by data center demand
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The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), a Regional Transmission Operator (RTO), has reported that power demand across its footprint could rise from 98GW in 2026 to more than 111GW by 2032, driven predominantly by the data center buildout.
Key facts
- The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), a Regional Transmission Operator (RTO), has reported that power demand across its footprint could rise from 98GW in 2026 to more than 111GW by 2032
- MISO said that it expects 8GW to 14GW of data centers to come online in 2026–2027
- The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the RTO that covers a 15-state region across the Midwest and South of the US, also projected a significant growth in its peak load
- Due to the significant increase in demand, peak demand is projected to reach 367GW by 2032, more than triple current levels
Summary
The RTO said that much of the projected demand is likely to emanate from non-crypto data centers, followed by cryptocurrency mining, industrial customers, and oil and gas operations. Due to the significant increase in demand, peak demand is projected to reach 367GW by 2032, more than triple current levels. According to the RTO, the projects reflect factors such as economic growth, electric vehicle adoption, rooftop solar installations, and existing large loads. Despite the projection, the RTO tempered expectations, stating that it “has concerns with using the preliminary load forecast values for the Reliability Assessment and any other transmission and resource adequacy analysis,” Chad Seely, ERCOT senior vice president of regulatory policy, general counsel, and chief compliance officer, said.