Texas Faces Threat of Blackouts After Grid Fails to Secure New Power Supply

Texans brace for potential winter blackouts due to the state grid inability to secure added power reserves, leaving it vulnerable during severe storms. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) aimed to obtain 3,000 megawatts for the December-February period, akin to powering approximately 600,000 homes, but only received 11.1 megawatts in pledges from consumers to reduce usage during tight conditions, as per a recent statement.

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Dallas Morning News, following an interview with ERCOT’s CEO Pablo Vegas, reported the grid’s struggle to bolster its reserves. After the devastating grid collapse during last year’s winter storms, which claimed hundreds of lives and plunged homes and businesses into darkness, regulators and lawmakers rushed to fortify the state’s electricity system. ERCOT’s unprecedented call for seasonal capacity stood in stark contrast to the region’s historical reliance on market dynamics for supply procurement.

With demand poised to break winter records during a potential cold snap, ERCOT forecasts a 21% probability of a grid emergency in January, with an almost 17% likelihood of rolling blackouts around 8 a.m. local time, considered the most critical hour during extreme weather conditions.

Source – https://finance.yahoo.com/