Officials with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas have told lawmakers in that state the demand for power could double by the end of the decade. Now, energy demand is about 85 gigawatts in the Lone Star State, but ERCOT says that could reach 150 gigawatts before 2030.
The expanding crypto mining sector in the Permian Basin could consume more than half of the expected increase. Expansion of AI – artificial intelligence – will play a role in the demand for more electricity through data centers.
Texas population is expected to hit 50 million by 2050 and that is a big part of the push for improvements and expansion to the power infrastructure.