Summary: During last month's storm, Gov. Abbott bragged the ERCOT power grid performed flawlessly. However, a less political reality proved a bit less enthusiastic. Weather conditions were not as bad for as long as forecast. And ERCOT twice asked customers to conserve energy or else.
Latest Update: Monday, 05 February, 2024
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Governor Abbott bragged, “The ERCOT power grid performed flawlessly, never failing. No Texan lost power b/c of the grid. This is b/c of reforms that added more power generation, winterized the grid & gave more tools to ERCOT.” *1
However, a less political reality proved a bit less enthusiastic. Weather conditions were not as bad for as long as forecast.
And ERCOT twice warned of a "tight grid" and twice asked customers to conserve energy or else. *2, *3
(*1) Texas set three records for power demand and supply during winter storm, The Center Square, 16January 2024
The Texas grid and energy companies set three all-time records for demand and supply to meet energy needs during subfreezing temperatures that began early Monday, expecting to last through Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott said.
“Texas set 3 all-time records for power demand & supply this winter storm,” Abbott said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The ERCOT power grid performed flawlessly, never failing. No Texan lost power b/c of the grid. This is b/c of reforms that added more power generation, winterized the grid & gave more tools to ERCOT.”
*2 ERCOT Expects Tight Grid Conditions, Requests Conservation Monday, January 15, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. CT, ERCOT News Release, 14 January 2024
• ERCOT Expects Tight Grid Conditions, Requests Conservation Tuesday, January 16, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. CT, ONCOR News Room, 15 January 2024
• ERCOT Expects Tight Grid Conditions, Requests Conservation Monday, January 15, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. CT, ONCOR News Room, 14 January 2024
• ERCOT Issues Weather Watch, ONCOR The Wire, 10 January 2024
ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch from January 15-17 due to forecasted extreme cold weather across the ERCOT region, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves. Grid conditions are expected to be normal during an ERCOT Weather Watch.
An ERCOT Weather Watch is an advance notification of forecasted significant weather with higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves. At this time, grid conditions are expected to be normal, and there is not a current expectation of an energy emergency. Texans should continue to monitor real-time and extended grid conditions
*3 Texans Increase Calls for Reliable Energy as Second Conservation Appeal Announced, Texas Scorecoard, 15 January 2024
Lawmakers, policy analysts, and citizens are calling for more reliable energy sources as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announces a second energy conservation appeal for Tuesday morning.
• ERCOT asks Texans to conserve electricity again, expects ‘tight grid conditions’ due to freezing temperatures, KSAT, January 2024
• ERCOT sees lower demand than predicted during statewide freeze, Houston Public Media, 16 January 2024
On Friday, ERCOT projected energy demand on Monday could reach 84,000 megawatts — that's more than the state saw during this summer's sweltering heat. Such high potential demand raised alarms for some about whether the state electrical grid could accommodate it.
By Monday, ERCOT projected demand could exceed 87,000 megawatts on Tuesday. However, in reality, demand came in far short of that, at just over 78,000 megawatts.