Texas is heading into what could be one of its hottest summers on record, but grid officials say the risk of summer blackouts is now dramatically lower. According to ERCOT — the Electric Reliability Council of Texas — emergency grid events are much less likely this year, thanks to a major increase in solar and battery storage.
More than 9,600 megawatts of new capacity have been added to the grid since last summer, the majority from renewable sources. While natural gas capacity has slightly declined, solar and storage are now helping meet record-breaking demand across the state.
ERCOT says the grid is now more reliable than ever, but balancing long-term energy needs remains a challenge — especially as climate change brings hotter and more unpredictable summers.
As poet Marcia Griffiths once said: “You gotta feel it — It’s electric! Boogie woogie woogie.”
