Texas grid may have to dip into power reserves again

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Texas grid may have to dip into power reserves again

The Texas power grid, which set an all-time record this week, is on the verge of breaking the record again, and may need to dip into power reserves this afternoon, according to its website.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas ERCOT broke records on Monday, with power demand topping 76,600 megawatts.

ERCOT predicted for Thursday that demand could reach nearly 77,900 megawatts by 5 p.m., possibly forcing the non-profit grid operator to dip into power reserves.

ERCOT has enough reserves to meet demand with more than 3,800 megawatts, according to its website. One megawatt can power around 200 homes on a hot summer day.

ERCOT projects enough generation to meet record demand today. The organization told FOX Business that the ERCOT is closely monitoring conditions and will deploy all available tools to manage the grid reliably, and that it continues to coordinate with the Public Utility Commission PUC as generation resource owners and transmission utilities to make sure they are prepared. Texas Oil Gas Association President Todd Staples said on Tuesday that state lawmakers provided tools to ERCOT and PUC to make sure the state can meet demand going into the hot summer months of July and August.

Texas has excess capacity available when plants are online and renewables are able to put power on the grid, Staples said. The market needs power when it comes to new resources, and it is important that policies are in place to make sure that they are cost effective and competitive for Texans. There is a chance that demand will go up as the economy and population grow in Texas. ERCOT expects to add new wind and solar power plants over the past year to increase resources this summer to more than 91,300 megawatts. Texas produces more natural gas than any other state, according to the EIA. Texas has also responded to the historic 2021 freeze by adding natural gas and renewable power generation capacity.