Daily electricity use could surpass previous record highs, with renewable energy helping meet demand.
AUSTIN, Texas — Some of the hottest weather of the year is moving into Texas this week, and the state’s power grid operator is preparing for a significant surge in electricity demand.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, said the state experienced its second-hottest summer on record in 2023, when electricity demand reached 85.5 gigawatts – the highest level ever recorded in Texas.
This week, ERCOT expects demand to approach or exceed that level, with projections ranging from the mid-80,000 to lower 90,000 megawatts as temperatures climb into the upper 90s and triple digits across much of the state.
In a statement, ERCOT said the grid is operating under normal conditions and that it will continue to monitor demand and keep Texans updated.
Despite the anticipated increase, officials said there is enough energy supply to meet demand, driven in part by the rapid growth of renewable energy.
During an Austin City Council work session on Tuesday, Austin Energy reported that ERCOT expects to meet the high demand through renewable energy resources.
Jeff Clark, CEO of Advanced Power Alliance, said renewable energy in Texas has expanded significantly in recent years, with wind and solar playing an increasingly central role in the state’s power supply. Texas now has roughly 41 gigawatts of wind energy and 40 gigawatts of solar energy capacity, serving millions of homes.
He added that renewable energy made up about 40% of Texas’ total electricity use last year, and its share continues to grow as demand rises across the state.
Clark said the expansion of wind and solar has also helped lower electricity costs, citing estimates that renewable energy reduces wholesale power prices by about $1 billion each month.
“While our bills are high because we use a lot of electricity, we have some of the lowest rates on a kilowatt hour basis. We actually have some of the lowest rates in the country, and keeping bills affordable is a priority,” Clark said.
Clark acknowledged that demand on the system can at times reach unprecedented levels but said investments across multiple energy sources – including natural gas, wind, solar and battery storage – are helping Texas keep pace with growth and maintain reliability.
He said renewable energy is especially valuable during extreme heat, as solar power generation peaks during the hottest parts of the day when electricity demand is highest.
Clark said there is enough energy supply to keep residents cool during the extreme heat.