Galaxy Digital Texas Data Centers Receive ERCOT Batch Zero Classifications

Galaxy Digital Inc. (GLXY ) announced on September 8, 2026, that five of its Texas data center projects received conditional classifications under the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Batch Zero large load interconnection process, covering approximately 4.2 gigawatts (GW) of gross power capacity.

ERCOT’s Batch Zero process groups qualifying projects into a single, system-wide study that allocates available transmission capacity. Base Load projects are modeled in the study and are not subject to further capacity allocation, while Studied Load projects remain subject to capacity allocation as part of the study. ERCOT released the conditional classifications as part of its ongoing audit and community impacts review process.

Project-By-Project Classifications

Two projects at the Helios data center campus, which Galaxy described as approved prior to the Batch Zero process, were classified as Batch Zero Base Load. Helios I carries 800 megawatts (MW) at the Helios campus. Helios II carries 830 MW; its capacity received ERCOT approval in January 2026, before the March 4 study validation-check confirmation date, and is part of the more than 1.6 GW already approved at Helios.

Galaxy said Helios II remains on schedule to energize in 2028 and that leasing is not impacted by the process. As the developer, owner and operator of the project, Galaxy will hold all retail electricity service agreements as part of its operations, with power costs included in broader hosting or lease arrangements with clients.

Three further projects, which Galaxy described as Batch Zero expansion projects, were conditionally classified as Studied Load. Caspian, with 700 MW of gross power capacity, was submitted by Galaxy as Base Load and was conditionally classified as Studied Load. Selene, at 900 MW, was classified as Batch Zero Studied Load, as was Helios III, a 1,000 MW load request at the Helios campus. Galaxy said that, as the developer, owner and operator of these projects, it will likewise hold all retail electricity service agreements as part of its operations, with power costs included in broader hosting or lease arrangements with clients.

State Directive, Audit and Development Pipeline

According to the company’s release, following the Texas Governor’s August 3, 2026, directive, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) on August 20 granted ERCOT good cause exceptions permitting conditional classification while ERCOT audits the data center projects in its interconnection queue, a process ERCOT expects to take several months. Galaxy said it will comply with any additional requirements that result from the directive.

Governor Greg Abbott announced on August 13, 2026, that Galaxy, Compass Datacenters and Montera Infrastructure will comply with the standards and guidelines he established for data centers. Under those standards, the PUCT and ERCOT are directed to ensure data centers pay for their electric infrastructure instead of shifting costs onto Texas families and small businesses, reuse their own water, reduce the cost of electricity for Texans, avoid disrupting residential neighborhoods, and eliminate reliance on taxpayer-funded incentives. Abbott said in the August 13 statement that the guidelines were being universally implemented by data centers across the state, and that one data center that could not comply chose to end operations before beginning construction.

The Governor’s office said the PUCT and ERCOT will also examine how each data center project discloses all taxpayer-funded incentives, grants, abatements and other public financial assistance tied to the project; details projected electricity demand and plans for on-site generation or other measures to reduce reliance on the ERCOT grid; identifies water sources, projected water use, water reuse procedures and water-efficient cooling technologies; outlines measures to reduce impacts on neighboring property owners and communities, including noise mitigation, light controls, setbacks, traffic improvements and emergency response coordination; and provides full transparency by disclosing project ownership and controlling interests. The agencies must receive and audit this information before data center projects can move forward, the Governor’s office said.

“The PUCT and ERCOT cannot make decisions to guarantee grid stability and reliability based on substantially incomplete information,” Abbott said. Any data center company that fails to comply with ERCOT’s audit process will be subject to having its approval denied, according to the Governor’s office.

Galaxy said its data center development pipeline now totals more than 5.7 GW of potential power capacity across four sites. The pipeline includes a second 1,000 MW load request at Helios, also progressing through ERCOT’s interconnection process, and Merlin, a new campus in McGregor, Texas, with the potential for 500 MW of gross power capacity.