# Oncor Expands Texas Grid as Data Center Demand Rises

> Oncor plans 20% larger grid buildout for data centers, raising cost questions for Texas customers.
- Title: Oncor Expands Texas Grid as Data Center Demand Rises
- Summary: Oncor plans 20% larger grid buildout for data centers, raising cost questions for Texas customers.
- Keywords: oncor, texas grid, data centers, electricity infrastructure, capital projects, ratepayers, ercot, Dallas Express
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/business-markets/oncor-eyes-bigger-texas-grid-buildout-as-data-center-requests-raise-cost-questions
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-11-08T17:00:15+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: oncor, texas grid, data centers, electricity infrastructure, capital projects, ratepayers, ercot, news, politics
## Oncor's Grid Expansion Plans
Oncor expects its next five-year construction program to grow roughly 20% as data-center power requests mount.
## Data Center Power Requests
Oncor's transmission queue contains about 293 gigawatts of data-center requests as of September 30.
## Current Financial Commitments
Oncor expects to spend approximately $9 billion on capital projects in 2026, its largest annual program.
## Collateral for Projects
Oncor holds approximately $6 billion in collateral from customers seeking generation or large commercial connections.
## Batch Zero Projects
ERCOT conditionally classified roughly 24 gigawatts of Oncor's submitted customer load as base load.
## Infrastructure Trade-Offs
Texas regulators approved 424.2 miles of Oncor high-voltage lines with combined costs approaching $3.95 billion.
## Key Decisions Ahead
Oncor faces decisions on which projects survive ERCOT scrutiny and how costs are distributed to ratepayers.
## Key takeaway

Oncor expects 20% increase in grid construction for data centers, with $6 billion in customer collateral to manage potential ratepayer costs.