ERCOT asking Texans to conserve energy Monday morning
As Texas braces for a severe cold front, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), responsible for operating 90 percent of the state’s electric load, has issued a stern warning urging residents to conserve energy. The bitter cold, coupled with wintry precipitation expected on Monday, January 15, and Tuesday, January 16, is anticipated to create a surge in energy demand, leading to what ERCOT terms as “tight conditions.”
ERCOT, an independent company serving approximately 25 million customers, anticipates challenges as temperatures plummet, and demand for electricity skyrockets. In preparation for these “tight grid conditions,” ERCOT issued a conservation appeal on Sunday afternoon, expecting the situation to persist through Tuesday. The conservation request, voluntary in nature, is set to apply from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday.
In a statement released on Sunday via their official communication channels, ERCOT revealed that operating reserves are expected to be low due to a combination of freezing temperatures, record-breaking demand, and unseasonably low wind. They emphasized the need for Texas businesses and residents to voluntarily reduce electricity consumption, stressing that any outages experienced are likely to be localized and not indicative of broader grid reliability issues.
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ERCOT pledged to closely monitor the evolving conditions and keep the public informed through their communication channels. The company’s proactive approach comes as a response to the potential challenges posed by the Arctic blast that hit Texas and Oklahoma over the weekend, bringing temperatures to unprecedented lows ranging between -10 and -25 degrees Fahrenheit.
The move to issue a weather watch through Wednesday, January 17, reflects ERCOT’s commitment to staying ahead of the extreme weather conditions. This vigilance follows the catastrophic failure of Texas’ power grid in February 2021 during an intense winter storm, resulting in over 4.5 million homes losing power, 57 reported deaths across 25 Texas counties, and $195 billion in property damage.
Despite the grim memories of the 2021 crisis, Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed confidence on Friday in the state’s power grid and ERCOT’s ability to handle the winter storm effectively. He assured the public that measures were in place to prevent a recurrence of the previous year’s power outages, emphasizing the state’s preparedness to weather the storm.
As of the latest update on ERCOT’s website, the available capacity of power supplies in the Texas grid remains well above the expected demand. ERCOT reported an operating reserve equivalent to 7,627 megawatts, reassuring the public that there is currently sufficient power to meet the ongoing demand.
While the immediate situation appears under control, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns of frigid temperatures persisting until midweek, with the Amarillo branch indicating a return to above-normal temperatures by Wednesday. The Fort Worth branch cautions that Tuesday morning commutes will be exceptionally cold, with single-digit and mid-teen lows and wind chills at or below zero.
ERCOT projects that Tuesday morning’s demand could surpass 85,000 megawatts, emphasizing the critical need for residents and businesses alike to heed the conservation appeal during the specified hours. As Texas navigates through the winter storm, ERCOT remains vigilant, aiming to ensure the reliability of the state’s power grid and avoid a repeat of the challenges faced in 2021.
