Oncor Electric expects to construct more than half the projects for ERCOT’s statewide multi-billion-dollar 765-kV Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan, the Dallas-based utility reports.
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Oncor Electric expects to construct more than half the projects for ERCOT’s statewide multi-billion-dollar 765-kV Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan, the Dallas-based utility reports.
The company also projects a 30 percent increase in its $36.1 billion capital spending plans through the end of the decade, with much of that spending growth driven by such transmission construction. Oncor likewise reports continued revenue growth, with reported earnings of $306 million for the three months ending Sept. 30, as compared to $261 million during the corresponding three months in 2024.
These details of the company’s spending plans and financial performance were revealed on Nov. 5, during a quarterly conference call with its CEO Allen Nye and officials from Oncor’s parent company, California-based Sempra. Other details of that call with investment analysts include:
OPERATIONS
- In the third quarter of 2025, Oncor built, rebuilt, or upgraded approximately 660 circuit miles of transmission and distribution lines.
- Oncor’s active large commercial and industrial interconnection queue includes over 600 requests — an increase of about 60 percent as compared to the same time last year. These include approximately 210 gigawatts from data centers and over 16 gigawatts of load from other industrial sectors.
- Oncor had 573 active generation interconnection requests in queue as of Sept. 30, 2025, composed of approximately 48 percent storage, 40 percent solar, 8 percent wind, and 4 percent gas.
- Oncor’s pending base rate review continues to advance. In September, the administrative law judge assigned to Oncor’s base rate review approved a settlement agreement among the parties relating to interim rates. The settlement provides that Oncor will be able to surcharge (or refund) final approved rates back to January 1, 2026 if the case is still pending on that date.
TRANSMISSION CONSTRUCTION
ERCOT recently released a summary of authorized transmission projects from the latest iteration of its Permian Basin Reliably Plan. This summary, which can be found on the PUC website under Project No. 55718, shows that the Oncor electric utility will develop scores of these facilities.
Oncor expects to be responsible for more than half of the large 765-kV lines to be developed under this plan, with its first PBRP 765 kV line to be energized by the end of 2028. All PBRP projects are targeted for completion by the end of 2030, according to Oncor.
In addition to the PBRP, Oncor anticipates completing significant projects related to the buildout of the Eastern Portion of ERCOT”s Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan (STEP).
Other Transmission Construction Details Include:
- Oncor reports that it has secured long-lead time equipment, including large power transformers, high-voltage circuit breakers, and electrical reactors for Permian Basin Reliability Plan projects.
- Oncor has obtained commitments from suppliers on delivery timelines, with initial equipment expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2027 to help meet expedited project timelines.
Oncor has begun securing real estate rights to support the buildout for PBRP substations. This includes the filing of Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) requests at the PUC. - During the third quarter, Oncor filed two new CCN amendment applications for needed transmission projects, building on the eleven filings filed in the first and second quarters of 2025. Six previously filed projects also received regulatory approval during the third quarter.
- Oncor has submitted the remainder of its 138 kV and 345 kV projects identified in the 2024 ERCOT’s Regional Transmission Plan for review at ERCOT. In total, Oncor anticipates being responsible for more than half of the investment related to the PBRP and the Eastern portion of STEP.
MANAGEMENT UPDATES
Oncor’s Board of Directors has selected Ellen Buck, who currently serves as Oncor’s Vice President of Business and Operations Services, to become Oncor’s next Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Buck replaces Oncor VP Jim Greer, who is retiring at the end of the year.