The operator of the state's largest electricity grid said Tuesday it expects power supplies to grow increasingly tight in the coming decade and recommended taking immediate steps to either boost capacity or limit demand.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates the transmission lines that serve about 85 percent of the state's electricity demand, gave that outlook with the release of its latest long-term report. ERCOT said that while it aims for a 13.75 percent margin of capacity over demand, its outlook shows a 9.8 percent reserve in 2014, dropping to 6.9 percent in 2015.By 2016, the report said, it expects more than 6,600 megawatts in new supply to come online, more than half of it from new natural gas-fired generators. It also assumes more electricity users will participate in programs requiring them to curtail use during high-demand periods.The report is based on "anticipated peak demand, existing and planned generation capacity, and other long-term factors."ERCOT recently issued its immediate outlook for this summer, when it expects to have adequate capacity to meet demand, which typically peaks in August.Jim Fuquay, 817-390-7552Twitter: @jimfuquayHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
