With the freeze-like conditions North Texans have seen the last few years, ERCOT is looking to connect the Texas grid to other parts of the country, while still avoiding federal regulation.
After Winter Storm Uri in 2021 left over 240 Texans dead, Texas has required updates to winterize the grid, and now another effort is being put in action to bring in outside power from Mississippi.
The Southern Spirit Transmission Project from Pattern Energy was approved by the Texas Public Utility Commission, and will make up to 2,000 megawatts available through direct connection, and allow Texas to maintain independence over it's grid.
The project is expected to come online by 2029 and bring thousands of construction jobs and tax revenue to the areas connecting ERCOT to the Mississippi transmission station.
Experts say Texas has existing connections to grids outside the state that amount to a total of 1,200 megawatts. The Southern Spirit Transmission project would provide a 40% larger input of power on its own, according to NBC 5.
An October 2023 report from ERCOT found that the state’s grid needed to generate an additional 3,000 megawatts of power to reduce the risk of an Energy Emergency Alert possibility during a severe winter storm this winter below 10%.
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