The Electric Reliability Council of Texas says the state’s power grid faces elevated risk this winter as rapid population growth and expanding electricity demand from new tech data centers put added pressure on the system, particularly during extreme cold weather.
The warning comes as ERCOT releases its seasonal outlook ahead of the winter months across Texas.
ERCOT officials say electricity demand continues to climb as millions of new residents move to the state and large-scale data centers come online, many of them operating around the clock and consuming enormous amounts of power. While Texas has added new generation capacity in recent years, including solar, battery storage and natural gas, winter weather presents unique challenges because renewable output can drop during cold snaps.
The grid operator notes that conditions are most strained during periods of sustained freezing temperatures, when heating demand surges and power plants face increased operational stress. ERCOT says it has taken steps to improve winter readiness since the 2021 winter storm, including stronger weatherization standards for power generators and transmission equipment.
State energy officials emphasize that an “elevated risk” does not guarantee outages, but it does mean the margin for error is smaller during severe winter weather. ERCOT says it will continue to monitor conditions closely and urges Texans to stay informed during cold weather events, especially if conservation requests are issued.
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