Due to concerns regarding a significant number of forced generation outages in combination with potential record electric use, ERCOT asked Texans to reduce their power usage from June 14 through June 18. Asking if it isn’t in use, unplug it.
This is not Texas’ first rodeo but the state’s second since February. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) made similar requests during the freeze to help stabilize the electric system during tight grid conditions.
ERCOT has requested its customers set their thermostat to 78 degrees (25.5C) or higher, reduce lightbulb use, turn off pool pumps and avoid using large appliances such as ovens, washing machines and dryers. Doing such should decrease outages throughout the week.
With approximately 11,000 megawatts of generation offline for repairs, ERCOT Vice President of Grid Planning and Operations said in a statement Monday, “there will be conducting a thorough analysis with generation owners to determine why so many units are out of service.” Adding that the outages are “unusual for this early in the summer season.”
To keep up with electricity demand you can follow ERCOT on Twitter.
