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According to a local energy expert, rolling blackouts could occur next week due to the statewide and Houston area’s impending cold weather.
Temperatures in the Houston area are predicted to drop below freezing on Sunday. Additionally, the National Weather Service forecast as of Friday predicts snow on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Ed Hirs, an energy fellow at the University of Houston, told Houston Matters on Friday that Texas lacks adequate power plants to meet the demand for energy during catastrophic weather events. In 2021, a long freeze resulted in significant power outages.
According to him, we do have some batteries, but not nearly enough to keep Texans warm overnight. That’s the issue. There aren’t enough electricity plants, yet the number of Texans has increased by one million since 2021.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) usually has to impose rolling blackouts when Texas experiences excessive energy demand and insufficient electricity. According to Hirs, this can result in dangers both at home and on the road.
He stated that it is a public safety issue. The water system can go out again, and the traffic lights will go out. Therefore, it is essential that everyone have access to drinkable water. Hopefully, there won’t be any rolling blackouts. However, I would anticipate them.
Some Texans experienced higher-than-normal electrical costs during the disruption during Winter Storm Uri in 2021. With numerous people dying from hypothermia, the death toll surpassed that of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Proposition 7, which was intended to assist in the addition of power plants, was adopted by Texas voters in the November 2023 election. According to Hirs, there is no assurance that the proposal will be a success, and it may take years before the state notices any change.
