ERCOT Calls for Electricity Conservation as Freezing Temperatures Persist

ERCOT, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) have issued a call for Texans to conserve electricity usage on Monday morning, as freezing temperatures and high demand continue to strain the grid. The request comes as operating reserves are expected to be low before the solar ramp-up, with similar conditions anticipated for Tuesday as well.

According to ERCOT, all Texans are being urged to limit their electricity usage from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. CT if it is safe to do so. The council is also seeking cooperation from government agencies, including city and county offices, to implement energy-reducing measures in their facilities during the given timeframe.

This conservation appeal by ERCOT does not indicate an emergency situation at present. However, the grid operator remains vigilant and will communicate any changes in conditions. Currently, any outages are believed to be localized and unrelated to overall grid reliability, with affected individuals advised to contact their local electric provider for more information.

ERCOT is actively utilizing various tools to manage the grid, which includes tapping into reserve power, calling upon larger electric customers who have volunteered to reduce their energy consumption, and expediting the deployment of additional generation. The organization is also collaborating with out-of-state Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Market Participants to secure more power generation capacity, if available.

Recognizing the need for flexibility during these challenging circumstances, ERCOT has obtained enforcement discretion from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), allowing generators to extend their operations to help meet the high demand and maintain grid reliability.

ERCOT advises that conservation is a widely-used industry practice that can effectively decrease demand during peak hours, typically in the morning during winter. Energy-saving tips can be found on the TXANS webpage to assist consumers in reducing their usage.