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CenterPoint Highlights 17-GW Large-Load Pipeline in Q2 as Houston Power Demand Accelerates

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CenterPoint Energy (CNP) highlighted rapidly accelerating electricity demand across its Houston service territory during its Q2 results on Tuesday, while outlining its growing pipeline of projects to support the region's growing power needs.

The utility said it submitted more than 17 gigawatts of large-load projects through the Electric Reliability Council of Texas' Batch Zero interconnection process, with roughly 14 GW expected to qualify as either base-load, which are highly likely to materialize, or studied-load projects, which are more uncertain.

If approved, the company noted that these projects could increase Houston's current peak 21 GW peak system demand by more than 65% by 2031.

Jason Wells, the company's Chairman and CEO, called this the industry's "unprecedented and dynamic era of growth" while adding that higher system utilization from the new connections is expected to improve affordability for existing customers over time by spreading infrastructure costs across a larger customer base.

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