NOTICE DATE: July 8, 2026

NOTICE TYPE: M-D070826-01 General

SHORT DESCRIPTION: ERCOT Comprehensive Transmission Planning initiative - Stakeholder engagement plan and upcoming activities

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Transmission Service Providers (TSPs), Distribution Service Providers (DSPs), and other interested stakeholders

DAYS AFFECTED: July 13, 2026 - February 2027

LONG DESCRIPTION:  ERCOT is initiating a stakeholder effort to improve how transmission planning activities are performed across the ERCOT region, including the creation of a Comprehensive Transmission Planning process.

The purpose of this effort is to evaluate opportunities to improve coordination across existing planning activities - including model and case building, Batch Studies, the Regional Transmission Plan (RTP), and the Regional Planning Group (RPG) process - and to develop recommendations for a future-state planning framework that supports reliability and economic growth through improved planning efficiency and transparency for an evolving grid.

The effort builds upon the development of the Batch Zero framework and reflects ERCOT's continued focus on evolving transmission planning processes to address the scale, pace, and complexity of future system growth.

As part of this effort, ERCOT will begin stakeholder engagement as soon as the week of July 13, 2026 by initiating interviews with TSPs and DSPs directly involved in the ERCOT planning processes.  Stakeholder engagement activities are expected to include interviews and, as appropriate, surveys or other requests for feedback. The purpose of these activities is to gather stakeholder perspectives on current planning challenges, future-state requirements, implementation considerations, and opportunities to improve coordination across planning processes. Participation in these discussions is exploratory and non-binding and is intended to inform ERCOT's evaluation of potential options for future planning frameworks. 

Based on the TSP and DSP feedback, ERCOT will bring forward planning options for broader consideration for all stakeholders in late-August or early-September in a series of workshops for supporting the development protocol and planning guide revisions.

ERCOT currently anticipates the following engagement activities in the coming months:

• July-August 2026: Stakeholder interviews with TSPs and DSPs directly involved in ERCOT planning activities
• August 2026-January 2027: Stakeholder workshops and protocol development, including:
  • ERCOT-led workshops to discuss planning objectives, process requirements, governance, and implementation considerations
  • Development of proposed Protocol and Planning Guide Revision Requests (NPRRs/PGRRs), with a target to publish an initial draft for stakeholder review September 2026
  • Ongoing engagement with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and other regulatory stakeholders, as appropriate
• February 2027: Target ERCOT Board consideration of recommendations related to the Comprehensive Transmission Planning framework

Additional information regarding stakeholder engagement opportunities and workshop schedules will be communicated through future Market Notices.

ACTION REQUIRED:  No action is required. ERCOT expects to begin outreach in the coming days to TSPs and DSPs actively involved in ERCOT's planning process to schedule interviews.  Additional stakeholder engagement and workshops will be communicated through future Market Notices.

CONTACT: If you have any questions, please contact your ERCOT Account Manager. You may also call the general ERCOT Client Services phone number at (512) 248-3900 or contact ERCOT Client Services via email at ClientServices@ercot.com.

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