Houston
A big eligible queue, but it is frozen like the rest of ERCOT. Gulf Coast gas supply is an advantage once the audit clears.
[Cushman & Wakefield, 2026 Global Data Center Market Comparison (Americas rankings) (2026-05)]
Power and the queue
- CenterPoint has about 12 GW of large-load requests eligible as base or studied load in ERCOT's Batch Zero (about 10 GW base, 2 GW studied), out of more than 17 GW submitted. [CenterPoint Energy Q2 2026 results and ERCOT Batch Zero update (2026-07); Utility Dive: CenterPoint says 14 GW likely eligible for Texas 'Batch Zero' (2026-07)]
Notable projects owners where public
No verified public item yet. This is a gap we are working on.
Regulatory posture incentives, moratoria, zoning, water, large-load rules
- Statewide Texas pause and TCEQ halt apply. [Office of the Texas Governor: Governor Abbott directs comprehensive data center audit (2026-08-03); Office of the Texas Governor: Governor Abbott directs TCEQ to halt data center permits (2026-09-21)]
Pending legislation and actions 1 items
| Date | Jurisdiction | Item | Status | Impact | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-04 | Texas state | Governor-elect pledge: statutory moratoriumuncertain Gina Hinojosa (elected Nov 3) campaigned on an immediate moratorium lasting until the Legislature passes protections. BMI says the pause could plausibly extend into late 2027. | proposed | high | [DCD: Anti-data center candidates claim victory across the US in 2026 midterm elections (2026-11-04)] |
In force / enacted 3 items
| Date | Jurisdiction | Item | Status | Impact | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-21 | Texas state | Governor directive: TCEQ to halt data center permits TCEQ is to issue no permits for infrastructure directly supporting data centers until ERCOT's audit is complete. TCEQ reported compliance on Oct 19, and a watchdog says some permits still advanced. | in force | high | [Office of the Texas Governor: Governor Abbott directs TCEQ to halt data center permits (2026-09-21)] |
| 2026-08-03 | Texas state | Governor directive: comprehensive data center audit (ERCOT Batch Zero) PUCT/ERCOT must verify and audit data centers in the interconnection queue. ERCOT is not approving energization of new data center and crypto loads of 75 MW or more until the audit is complete. Verification and community-impact reports are due Dec 10, 2026. | in force | high | [Office of the Texas Governor: Governor Abbott directs comprehensive data center audit (2026-08-03)] |
| 2025-06-20 | Texas state | SB 6 (89R, 2025) Requires PUCT/ERCOT large-load planning and interconnection standards; applies to large loads at a default 75 MW single-site threshold; addresses interconnection studies, cost allocation, co-location, and emergency curtailment | enacted | high | [SB 6 (89R, 2025) primary source (2025-06-20)] |
Pricing & supply snapshot directional
MW Desk estimate / directional range, Q4 2026
Asking-rate bands below are MW Desk directional estimates in USD per kW-month. They are rounded ranges, not quoted rates, and they go stale quickly.
- Retail colo (roughly 0–250 kW): $120–350/kW-mo
- Wholesale (roughly 250 kW–4 MW): $110–195/kW-mo
- Large / hyperscale blocks (roughly 4 MW+): $95–210/kW-mo
- Vacancy band: around 5–8% (moderately available)
- Commissioned inventory (directional): ~245–355 MW
- Available power (directional): ~0–35 MW
- Under construction: ~20–130 MW
- Planned pipeline: ~0.4–0.9 GW
- Absorption: solid positive absorption
- Power / timing: Mix of tight wholesale and some retail availability; large contiguous blocks still require lead time.
Indicative only. Ranges are rounded and adjusted directional estimates, not quoted asking rates or a survey. Confirm with brokers and operators before acting. Source data ages quickly.
TJ field notes
Coming soon: TJ's on-the-ground notes on this market. Expect what the queue really looks like, which sites can actually get power, and what the brokers aren't saying.
Slot reserved for TJ's detailed market report.