Texas’s grid operator and regulators are moving on one of the largest transmission expansions in state history. On May 19, 2026, ERCOT’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) endorsed approximately $6.5 billion in transmission projects across Texas, the same day it approved PGRR145, the planning guide revision request that establishes the framework for “batch zero” interconnection of large loads.
ERCOT indicated that approved transmission solutions are expected to be included in the batch zero modeling scenarios if approved by the ERCOT board at its June 1–2 meeting.
The buildout follows the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) decision in April 2025 to approve a plan to build the first 765-kV lines in the ERCOT region as part of the Permian Basin Reliability Plan.
Building on that plan, Oncor Electric Delivery and LCRA Transmission Services on March 26, 2026 jointly proposed building up to 244 miles of 765-kV transmission line. Per the proposal, the project will run approximately 214 to 244 miles depending on the route selected by the PUCT, with estimated project costs of about $1.6 billion to $1.9 billion, excluding nearly $400 million in station costs.
In its filing, Oncor said the proposed line “will improve bi-directional power flow on the ERCOT transmission system, increase the reliability and resilience of the system, support import capability into the Permian Basin region, address reliability issues driven by rapid load growth, and support the ability of local transmission networks to serve new loads.”
Oncor says it expects regulators to select a final route in September, with the line completed and energized by 2030.
In the shorter-term, the North McCamey to Bearkat transmission line is scheduled to be energized by June 2026 if approved by the PUCT.
The ERCOT board’s action at its June 1–2 meeting determines which transmission solutions feed into the batch zero modeling that governs how large new loads are connected. Route selection for the Oncor–LCRA 765-kV line is expected from the PUCT in September.