ERCOT: Tight Grid Conditions Expected Due To High Number Of Forced Generation Outages

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is asking Texans to reduce electric use as much as possible today through Friday, June 18.

"A significant number of forced generation outages combined with potential record electric use for the month of June has resulted in tight grid conditions," ERCOT said

"Generator owners have reported approximately 11,000 MW of generation is on forced outage for repairs; of that, approximately 8,000 MW is thermal and the rest is intermittent resources. According to the summer Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy, a typical range of thermal generation outages on hot summer days is around 3,600 MW. One MW typically powers around 200 homes on a summer day," ERCOT said

"We will be conducting a thorough analysis with generation owners to determine why so many units are out of service," said ERCOT Vice President of Grid Planning and Operations Woody Rickerson. "This is unusual for this early in the summer season."

ERCOT said that, according to generation owners, the number of outages should decrease throughout the week.

ERCOT said that wind output for today is expected to be 3,500 to 6,000 MW between 3 and 9 p.m. "This is roughly 1,500 MW lower than what is typically available for peak conditions. Wind output is expected to increase as the week goes on," ERCOT said

ERCOT said that, "Today’s peak load forecast may exceed 73,000 MW. The peak demand record for June is 69,123 MW set on June 27, 2018 between 4 and 5 p.m."