Register Now for the Gulf Coast Power Association (GCPA) 2026 Annual Fall Conference & Exhibition – Sept 28 – Sept 30, 2026 – Austin, TX

September 28–30, 2026
AT&T Hotel & Conference Center
1900 University Avenue
Austin, TX 78705

The 2026 Annual Fall Conference & Exhibition is the largest annual regional gathering of power professionals, bringing together industry leaders, government officials, and energy experts to discuss the decisions shaping the future of the ERCOT grid.

Conference Theme

Building the Grid of 2050: One Decision at a Time

This year’s conference explores the critical issues influencing Texas’ energy future, including transmission cost allocation, large-load interconnection, market economics, and emerging grid technologies.

Conference Highlights

• Prominent industry and government speakers.
• Timely educational sessions and panel discussions.
• Networking opportunities with more than 800 expected attendees.
• Participation from over 350 companies across the power industry.

Conference Schedule

Monday, September 28

• Pre-Conference Workshop: Who Pays for the Grid? Transmission Cost Allocation in ERCOT (1:00 PM – 4:30 PM). Separate registration required.
• Welcome Cocktail Reception: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (included with conference or workshop registration).

Tuesday, September 29

• Registration and continental breakfast beginning at 7:30 AM.
• Opening welcome at 8:20 AM.
• Keynote presentations and conference sessions from 8:30 AM – 5:15 PM.
• Cocktail reception from 5:15 PM – 7:00 PM.

Wednesday, September 30

• Registration and continental breakfast beginning at 8:00 AM.
• Conference sessions from 8:30 AM – 11:50 AM.
• Conference adjourns at 12:00 PM.

Featured Speakers

• Robert Gaudette, President & CEO, NRG Energy
• Pablo Vegas, CEO, ERCOT
• Thomas Gleeson, Chairman, Public Utility Commission of Texas
• Trip Doggett, Former ERCOT CEO

Session Preview

• Who Pays for the Grid? Transmission Cost Allocation in ERCOT
• The Road to the 90th
• The Vanishing Spark Spread
• Grid Connection Strategies for Large Loads
• Large Load Interconnection After Batch Zero
• Affordability Under Pressure
• Jobs in 2035: The Texas Energy Economy
• The 2050 ERCOT Grid

Registration is now open for GCPA’s 41st Annual Fall Conference & Exhibition. Join power industry professionals from across Texas for three days of education, networking, and discussions focused on the future of the ERCOT grid.