TEXAS — Some of the coldest temperatures of the season are here. Since the February 2021 winter storm that left millions without power, freezes bring concern for the Texas power grid.
Energy experts say that almost five years later the grid is in a much stronger position because of better weatherization, stricter inspections for power plants and gas pipelines and new energy.
“About 90% of new generation that we’ve added has been from solar, wind and batteries, and the grid is looking a lot more reliable than it was back then,” said Matthew Boms, executive director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance.
Boms said all of these changes have boosted reliability and helped with the effects of extreme cold.
As more AI companies move to Texas to do business, data centers are also adding to electricity demand in Texas. At the most recent Electric Reliability Council of Texas board meeting, ERCOT officials said more than 70% of the large load interconnection requests in 2025 were for data centers.
Boms explained that while they are a huge load, the centers are also an opportunity.
”If they’re framed as flexible load, we know exactly how much power they need, and we know when they need it. So you can use that data to keep them online, but also draw on them”, Boms said. “We can use them in a way that helps power the grid instead of draining the grid of power.”
There is still room to improve when it comes to costs for Texans. Many multi-family homes still use resistance heating, which can get costly and energy-guzzling in freezing weather. Energy advisers say better insulation and heat pumps could cut demand and ultimately lower heating bills during cold snaps.