ERCOT predicts 16% chance of an August grid emergency involving blackouts
Texas is preparing for another potentially hot summer that may bring more challenges to the state’s grid. A grid emergency and rolling blackouts could come in August.
Between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. in August, there will be a 16% chance of an electrical grid emergency along with a 12% chance of rolling blackouts, according to the state’s grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and its latest report.
The hour of 8 p.m. through 9 p.m. is when the grid is typically most stressed because that’s when the production of solar power is waning and usage rates are near their highest levels. Chances could also increase if wind power output is unusually low.