Despite concerns about power grid reliability in Texas during winter storms, ERCOT reported on Thursday that the grid was holding strong with plenty of reserve power available. The grid condition tracker showed about 10,000 megawatts of reserve power, indicating excess supply to meet the demand despite the cold weather. Any power outages were attributed to local issues like ice on power lines, not problems with the statewide grid.
Oncor, the company operating transmission lines in the DFW area, reported a small number of outages affecting only a few thousand customers out of more than 4 million. While the current storm was not as severe as winter storm Uri in 2021, analysts warn that Texas is still at risk of rolling blackouts if faced with a more intense storm.
A report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation highlighted Texas’s elevated risk of power shortfalls in extreme weather, despite efforts to increase capacity through new power plants and renewable energy sources. ERCOT continues to work on building a more resilient grid for the state’s growing population and economy.
Lawmakers are expected to address the issue as the legislative session begins, while ERCOT has been conducting inspections on power generators to ensure readiness for winter weather. These efforts were strengthened after the 2021 storm, and additional inspections are planned for the coming months.
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