ERCOT Electricity Demand Reaches Record High as Solar and Wind Generation Surge

Electricity demand within the Texas grid operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has continued to increase steadily since 2021, reaching record highs in 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

In the first nine months of this year, ERCOT, which manages about 90% of Texas' electricity, saw demand increase 5% from the same period in 2024, totaling 372 terawatthours (TWh). Compared to 2021, that represents a 23% jump, marking the fastest electricity demand growth among major U.S. grids between 2024 and 2025.

Wind and solar generation have been the primary drivers of meeting this growing demand. Utility-scale solar output surged to 45 TWh from January through September 2025, up 50% from 2024, nearly quadrupling 2021 levels.

Wind generation rose to 87 TWh, a 4% increase over last year and 36% higher than in 2021. Combined, wind and solar met 36% of ERCOT's electricity demand during the first nine months of 2025.

Natural gas-fired generation remains ERCOT's largest power source but has plateaued since 2023. Between January and September 2025, gas-fired plants generated 158 TWh. This generation falls slightly below 2023's total and accounts for 43% of overall generation, down from 47% two years prior.

Solar's midday generation output has significantly reduced the need for natural gas during peak daylight hours. During the summer of 2025, solar generation averaged 24 gigawatts (GW) between noon and 1 p.m., doubling 2023's levels.

Meanwhile, battery storage has begun to play a crucial role, contributing around 4 GW at 8 p.m. during summer evenings.

According to the EIA's October 2025 forecast, ERCOT's electricity demand is expected to grow another 14% in 2026, reaching 425 TWh by the end of the third quarter.