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1h ago

Texas Grid Poised to Break Peak Demand as Heat Wave Pushes Temperatures Into Triple Digits

Daytime solar plus planned reserve capacity are expected to meet the surge, reducing the chance of emergency power cuts.

The sun rises over power lines Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Houston. The state's previous all-time high power demand was 85,508 MW, set on August 10, 2023.
As the sun beats down on a solar array, the renewable energy source is helping to keep Texans cool during the heat wave. 
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The grid operator expects usage to set a demand record by Wednesday afternoon, when San Antonio could record its first 100-degree reading of the year. 

Overview

  • ERCOT projects a statewide hourly peak near 89,900 megawatts during Wednesday afternoon as record heat drives heavy air‑conditioner use.
  • The grid operator says the system is operating under normal conditions and is not calling for voluntary power reductions or emergency alerts.
  • Available capacity is reported well above the forecast peak, with ERCOT citing roughly 122,500 megawatts of supply to cover demand.
  • Rapidly expanded daytime solar is expected to supply roughly 33,000 megawatts at the afternoon peak and has raised solar’s share of grid energy to more than 15% for the first half of 2026.
  • Forecasters have issued heat advisories for major Texas metros and experts warn that population growth and a booming data‑center sector will push future peak demand higher, a trend that could drive more investment in storage and grid upgrades.