ERCOT Requests Energy Conservation as Texas Power Grid Struggles to Meet Demand
Houston, TX – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is once again urging Texans to conserve energy as the demand on the Texas Power Grid threatens to exceed supply. Following a previous request for conservation on Thursday, ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch warning through Sunday, August 27.
In an update on Saturday, August 26, ERCOT announced that it is requesting help from residents in conserving energy as energy demand is currently projected to possibly outpace supply in the evening hours. The council specifically requested Texans to conserve energy from 3 to 9 p.m.
At the time of writing, the ERCOT dashboard is forecasting that demand will be within approximately 200MW of the available energy supply around 7:30 p.m. ERCOT reports that operating reserves are expected to be low in the afternoon and evening due to factors such as low wind and potential low solar generation, coupled with high demand.
ERCOT expressed appreciation for Texans’ efforts in conserving energy on Thursday, which helped the power grid avoid emergency operations. They credited conservation, Houston-area rain, increased wind, and additional reliability tools for averting an emergency.
CPS Energy, another major power utility in Texas, echoed the concern, attributing tight operating reserves to continued low-wind generation and high demand. State and local officials are urging residents to conserve electricity as much as possible, particularly between 3 and 9 p.m. They also highlighted the possibility of rotating outages with little to no notice if ERCOT declares an Energy Emergency Alert.
In response to the situation, the City of San Antonio held a press conference to inform and prepare residents for the potential of rolling blackouts. CPS Energy advised residents to remain calm, seek alternate power sources if available, be aware of any medical needs, disconnect appliances, and keep freezers and refrigerators closed during outages.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg emphasized that this is a statewide issue and not a generation problem specific to CPS Energy. He clarified that the demand for energy across Texas is surpassing the state’s generation capacity, and all ERCOT members must participate in rolling outages during load shed events.
ERCOT issues Weather Watch warnings three to five days in advance of days with anticipated high demand and significant weather forecasts.
As the situation continues to unfold, Texans are encouraged to stay updated on conservation efforts and be prepared for possible power outages.