The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a weather watch for Wednesday, warning Texas residents that the electric grid supply will be tight as "high levels of expected maintenance outages" cause lower reserves.
Unseasonably hot temperatures are scorching Texas this week, pushing into the 100s, with Wednesday posing the most widespread risk of heat impacts, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) HeatRisk index. Other Southern states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida, also are expecting hot weather. Temperatures will remain high through Thursday, after which an approaching cold front is expected to provide some relief.
The high temperatures could stress the electric grid as more families turn to air conditioning to keep cool, but ERCOT believes grid conditions will remain normal during the unseasonable weather.
"ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch for Wednesday, May 8, due to unseasonably high temperatures, high levels of expected maintenance outages during the spring shoulder months, and the potential for lower reserves," ERCOT posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. "Grid conditions are expected to be normal during a Weather Watch and can be monitored on http://ercot.com."
ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch for Wednesday, May 8, due to unseasonably high temperatures, high levels of expected maintenance outages during the spring shoulder months, and the potential for lower reserves. Grid conditions are expected to be normal during a Weather Watch and… pic.twitter.com/oEF8frs0Ap
— ERCOT (@ERCOT_ISO) May 7, 2024
Newsweek reached out to ERCOT by email for comment.
According to a supply and demand forecast on ERCOT's website, conditions are expected to be tightest in the evening hours. At around 8 p.m. Wednesday, available capacity is expected to be 67,798 megawatts, and the demand is expected to surge to 65,368 megawatts.
The tight conditions have many residents in the area criticizing ERCOT, which has faced increased scrutiny since February 2021, when a severe winter storm and frigid temperatures stressed the power grid to the point of failure, causing thousands of people to lose power. High temperatures also pose a risk to the grid.
During an extended heat wave last year, ERCOT demand peaked at 85,508 megawatts. At that time, the grid continued to meet demand.
According to the NWS HeatRisk index, the most widespread heat is expected through Wednesday, posing a "major" risk to southern Texas.
A larger number of people are under "moderate" risk, and even more face a "minor" risk. Although the heat will begin to recede on Thursday, NWS HeatRisk shows heat worsening in the southern tip of Texas, where "extreme" impacts will be felt.
"This level of rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in most health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure," NWS HeatRisk said.
By Friday, all extreme and major impacts will diminish in Texas, and the state will continue to cool through the weekend.
Update 5/9/24, 10:56 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include additional information.
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Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more
