Texas is facing increasing energy demands due to population growth and the influx of large users like crypto mines and data centers used to power artificial intelligence. The state is set to expand solar energy and industrial battery storage this year, and the Energy Information Administration predicts that Texas will receive about 40% of new solar capacity and 53% of total new battery storage capacity added nationwide this year. Much of the new energy expected in Texas is renewable or helps store energy for future use, according to data from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages most of the state’s power grid, about 87% of the electric capacity planned to connect to the grid in the next six years are solar, wind or battery plants. However, these alternate sources won't solve the grid's reliability challenges alone. The last legislative session introduced bills that would have curved renewable energy by requiring new rules and fees on these projects were rejected.