As Texas experiences colder and colder temperatures, the grid remains in a fragile state. ERCOT now predicts that the grid may not be able to supply the state with enough power this winter.
A recent analysis by ERCOT (the Electric Reliability Council of Texas) suggests that Texas could experience another brutal winter storm like the one felt back in February of 2021. ERCOT’s analysis shows there’s an 80% chance that the grid will fail if Texas experiences a severe winter storm similar to Uri.
The analysis was presented to the ERCOT Board of Directors by Chris Coleman, the ERCOT supervisor of operational forecasting. “The more I look at this winter, the more cold potential I see,” he told the board.
Winter Storm Uri struck the state back in 2021 and resulted in the deaths of over 245 people, mostly due to the extremely cold conditions and rolling blackouts. Since then, the Texas Legislature has passed different legislation aimed at improving the grid, but experts remain skeptical.
“This is like a tornado watch. It doesn’t mean a tornado is going to happen. It’s the same idea for cold weather extreme.” – Chris Coleman
ERCOT is a controversial force in Texas. As an independent organization, they are an un-elected committee tasked with operating the power grid throughout the state. Notably, the Texas grid is not connected to either grid on the East or West coast of the United States. This means that the Texas grid cannot draw power from any other state during extreme weather events.
After Winter Storm Uri in 2021, several lawmakers across the state attempted to force ERCOT to connect the grid to the rest of the country, but the move was blocked by Governor Abbott and his allies in the Texas Legislature.