ERCOT / PUCT / Batch Zero PGRR145 / PCLR NPRR1325 / July 10 Form W deadline / August 2026 classification

Plain-English version of what changed. Texas's electric grid is run by ERCOT under the oversight of the PUCT (Public Utility Commission of Texas). ERCOT writes its own operating rules, called 'protocols.' Protocol Revision Requests (PRRs) and Nodal Protocol Revision Requests (NPRRs) are the formal change-control documents that move through ERCOT's stakeholder process before the PUCT signs off and the change becomes binding. • PGRR145 — formalizes the 'Batch Zero' large-load study process. Instead of studying each large-load interconnection request (75 MW or more) one at a time in queue order, ERCOT now studies them in groups — 'batches' — to assess cumulative transmission impact, allocate available capacity fairly across applicants, and identify any transmission upgrades needed for the whole group. • NPRR1325 — formalizes the PCLR (Provisional Controllable Load Resource) framework. A large load can elect to be a 'Provisional CLR' — meaning if ERCOT needs to curtail load in real time (because of a system contingency or capacity shortage), that load has signed up to be among the first to come down to a pre-set lower limit. In exchange, the load gets a higher initial MW allocation than it would have gotten if it were a non-controllable load competing for limited transmission headroom. The PUCT approved both at its June 18 open meeting, taking up PGRR145 as Item 28 of Project No. 54445. Why this matters operationally. The two protocol revisions together produce three near-term deadlines that did not exist in protocol form before June 18: • July 10, 2026 — any large load that wants to elect PCLR status (and get the higher MW allocation that comes with it) must complete, sign, notarize, and deliver Part A of Form W to its interconnecting transmission service provider (TSP) or distribution service provider (DSP). After July 10, the option to elect PCLR for this batch is closed. • August 2026 — Batch Zero applicants will receive their project classification notifications from ERCOT. That is the ruling on how much MW each applicant gets, what timeline they get it on, and what transmission upgrades they have to pay for. • Summer 2027 — applications open for Batch 1, the second round. • Fall 2027 — the final transmission plan for the Batch Zero cohort gets published, which is what fixes the upgrade timelines and cost allocation.

Primary source · ERCOT — PUCT approves Batch Zero process press release ↗