ERCOT calls on Texans to reduce energy use amid extreme high temperatures Thursday
ERCOT is asking Texans to reduce their electricity use, if it is safe to do so, as extreme high temperatures are predicted from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, according to a news release.
The agency, which oversees Texas’ electric grid and energy production, said it forecasts high demand and low reserves. ERCOT is also asking for all government agencies, including city and county buildings, to begin programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.
While it is asking Texans to voluntarily conserve electricity during the peak of the heat wave, ERCOT said in the news release that it is not yet experiencing emergency conditions. Instead, the request to reduce energy use is a measure to prevent an emergency. Other measures are being taken, such as bringing additional generators online sooner than scheduled and using reserve power.
If anybody is currently experiencing an outage, ERCOT says it is local and “not related to overall grid reliability.”
Thursday’s high is expected to be around 109 degrees, followed by 110 on Friday.
ERCOT said residents can find energy-saving tips at ercot.com/txans.
This story was originally published August 17, 2023 at 12:23 PM.