Texas Staff Updates Estimate of ERCOT Capacity Used for Small Fish Swim Free Rule

Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas have filed an updated estimate of installed generation capacity in ERCOT for March 2015.

The amount of installed generation capacity is a factor in determining (1) the 20 percent limit on installed generation capacity established in PURA § 39.154 and (2) the 5 percent wholesale market power exemption established in P.U.C. Subst. R. 25.504(c).

For purposes of the 20% limit, the estimated total installed generation capacity is 88,196 MW.

For purposes of the 5% exemption, the estimated total installed generation capacity is 84,305 MW.

Staff reported that there were three changes in methodology this year that affected the estimates:

1. Switchable generating capacity that is not available to ERCOT was not included.

2. The capacity of the DC Ties with Mexico was not included.

3. The summer wind capacity values were updated to reflect the percentage values established by ERCOT in 2014 for coastal and non-coastal counties.

Project 39870