What Does a Hotter Texas Summer Mean for You?
Texas is bracing for another hotter Texas summer. And this year, high heat meets high demand. More people are moving here. Plus, new factories and data centers need more Texas power. That means ERCOT, the state’s grid operator, has a big job ahead. Light companies are watching closely, too.
ERCOT says power use could hit new records this summer. On the hottest days, demand may top 84,000 megawatts. That’s more than ever before! The grid should hold for now, but new forecasts say power reserves will shrink in coming years. By 2028, there may not be enough backup power if demand spikes.
ERCOT Plans for a Hotter Summer
To get ready, ERCOT is using every tool it has. It is also planning for worst-case events like long heat waves or hurricanes. The grid has more solar and battery storage than ever. But it still leans on natural gas plants during peak hours.
To help manage emergencies, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 6 this spring. It gives ERCOT a new tool: a “kill switch” for big power users. If the grid is close to failing, ERCOT can cut power to large sites like data centers or crypto mines. This helps protect homes and hospitals from losing power. And wouldn’t you rather a data center lose power than an intensive care ward?
SB 6 also helps ERCOT plan better. The law makes companies give advance notice before plugging in large new loads. That means fewer surprises and more stable service.
Clean Energy Still Matters
This year, the Texas lawmakers did not pass bills that would have punished wind and solar power. That is good news for consumers because clean energy helps lower costs and adds backup during summer peaks. Losing those projects would make it harder to keep up with rising demand.
Now Is the Time to Act
With a hotter Texas summer on the way, your power bill could spike if you are not on the right plan. For that reason, the Public Utility Commission reminds Texans to exercise their power to choose before summer hits.
One smart way to prepare is to lock in a fixed-rate plan now. Our Gexa Eco Saver Plus 12 plan from Gexa Energy is a great deal. It costs 10 cents per kWh when you use 1,000 kWh in a billing cycle. With the plan’s massive $125 bill credit at 1,000 kWh, you want to make sure you reach this usage milestone every month.
Beat the heat and high bills. Shop now at http://www.texaselectricityratings.com/electric-rates, and choose a plan that is ready for summer.