Heat Wave Strains Texas Power Grid

According to a recent report by the Energy Information Administration the power grid in Texas, the nation’s second most populous state, saw a record for hourly demand in June and July of this year. Previously, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ (ERCOT) hourly demand record was 79,830 megawatthours (MWh) on July 20, 2022. This previous record was broken every day from June 26 to June 29 of this year with the highest demand being more than 80,000 MWh. Record high temperatures continued throughout July and were topped in the middle of the month when demand peaked at over 82,000 MWh.

Texans plugged in and cranked up their air conditioning and other cooling equipment at record numbers to cope with the sweltering heat wave moving through the state. As more Texans plugged in to the grid, increased output was needed to meet elevated demand in order to avoid blackouts. As many states throughout the country face record heat this summer, it is a sound reminder as to why abundant and reliable deliverable fuels such as propane need to be kept in the energy mix.

Consumer usage of propane during peak demand times takes aggregate pressure off of the grid, ensuring grid stability during unprecedented temperatures. Stripping away the consumer choice to utilize propane only pushes reliance solely upon the grid, and if/when the grid fails due to increased strain, consumers will be left in the dark – and heat. For more information, please contact NPGA’s Manager of State Government Affairs, Austin Wicker.