Crossroads Today: Major transmission upgrade coming to Wharton County area
Jan. 7 — Since 2018, significant renewable energy generation (solar, storage, wind) has developed near the 345 kV transmission lines in Fort Bend and Wharton Counties along the Hillje to W.A. Parish corridor.
https://www.crossroadstoday.com/news/local-news/major-transmission-upgrade-coming-to-wharton-county-area/article_2d9499d2-8245-46fe-a707-7eb6bc2094ac.html
PV Magazine: ERCOT outperformed on interconnection in 2024 likely due to “connect and manage”
Jan. 7 — More than 25 GW of large-scale generating projects seeking an interconnection agreement in the ERCOT grid region reached that stage in 2024. Berkeley Lab said ERCOT’s “connect and manage” approach “is likely one reason” for the grid operator’s success.
www.pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/01/07/ercot-outperformed-on-interconnection-in-2024-likely-due-to-connect-and-manage/
Dallas Initiatives: Irving-Based Vistra To Acquire Natural Gas Powerhouse Cogentrix Energy in $4B Deal
Jan. 6 — The acquisition includes three combined cycle gas turbine facilities and two combustion turbine facilities located across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland; four combined cycle gas turbine facilities in New England, and one ERCOT cogeneration facility in Texas.
www.dallasinnovates.com/irving-based-vistra-to-acquire-natural-gas-powerhouse-cogentrix-energy-in-4b-deal/
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Abandoned Fort Worth power plant up for consideration as endangered landmark
Jan. 6 —The city of Fort Worth’s Development Services department is seeking to designate the abandoned Fort Worth Power and Light Company Plant/TXU plant on North Main Street as a highly significant endangered landmark after the property was recently listed for sale.
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article314218040.html#storylink=cpy
Utility Dive: ERCOT’s large load queue jumped almost 300% last year
Jan. 6 — The surge has “outgrown the process that was established for reviewing these large loads,” an Electric Reliability Council of Texas official said.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ercots-large-load-queue-jumped-almost-300-last-year-official/808820/
PV Magazine: Energy Vault begins construction on 150 MW storage project in Texas
Jan. 6 — Energy Vault Holdings has started construction on the SOSA Energy Center, a 150 MW / 300 MWh battery energy storage system located in Madison County, Texas. The project is situated within the ERCOT North market and is expected to reach commercial operation by the second quarter of 2027.
www.pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/01/06/energy-vault-begins-construction-on-150-mw-storage-project-in-texas/
Construct Connect News:
Jan. 5 — At the present time, there are 375 data centers already operating in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, with another 70 currently under construction, according to research and advisory firm Baxtel.
https://news.constructconnect.com/renewable-energy-is-key-to-powering-texas-data-centers
TELECOM NEWS
Broadband Communities: AT&T will move their headquarters out of Downtown Dallas
Jan. 6 — Dallas-based AT&T will be moving their headquarters to a new location in Plano. The news was revealed when a message to AT&T employees announced a new company headquarters will be under construction, at 5400 Legacy Drive.
www.bbcmag.com/att-will-move-their-headquarters-out-of-downtown-dallas/