Electric Grid Got a Break This Summer
ERCOT is still working on the system's capacity. Photo by Daniel Reese/KUT NewsBy Kelli Ainsworth
Overall peak electric demand was lower this summer than last summer in Texas, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, although the state still set usage records in June and July. ERCOT spokeswoman Robbie Searcy says the grid load could still increase in the future.
“Of course we continue to see growth in the ERCOT region,” Searcy said. “The economy is doing well, we continue to see overall load growth as more people move into the region. So we’re going to continue to see some increases overall, over time.”
ERCOT’s board yesterday also approved $57 million in improvements to increase transmission capacity in the Eagle Ford Shale region in South Texas. Increased oil and natural gas exploration in West and South Texas has strained the system.
