Texans are expected to consume a record amount of electricity this summer, though the state’s grid operator says the system has enough generating capacity to meet peak demand for the season.
(Bloomberg) — Texans are expected to consume a record amount of electricity this summer, though the state’s grid operator says the system has enough generating capacity to meet peak demand for the season.
Power usage on the state’s main grid is forecast to top 82.7 gigawatts during normal summer weather to surpass last July’s high of 80 gigawatts, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas said Wednesday in its summer assessment. One gigawatt is enough to power about 200,000 Texas homes.
Electricity use in Texas has been rising thanks to a growing economy, an influx of people moving to the state and a surge in energy-intensive Bitcoin mining. Texas has been working to make its grid more robust during extreme weather since a deadly winter storm in 2021 crippled the system. The network was further tested last summer when intense heat triggered soaring consumption that shattered records 11 times within a matter of weeks.
Read More: Texas Power Grid May Need ‘Breath of God’ to Keep Cool in Summer
Ercot, as the operator is known, said more than 97 gigawatts of capacity is expected to be available during the summer peak for a grid that serves more than 26 million customers. Still, extreme weather could test the system, according to operator’s highest risk scenario. Record demand during such an unlikely scenario could trigger shortfalls if there are a significant number of unplanned power-plant breakdowns and little power from wind turbines and solar farms.
Most of Texas has a 50% to 60% chance of having above average temperatures from May to July, according to the US Climate Prediction Center.
–With assistance from Brian Sullivan.
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