ERCOT Cancels Energy Conservation Notice for Texans, Gives Another Warning

HOUSTON Hours after the emergency response report issued Tuesday was canceled, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas on Wednesday again issued an opinion on the possible shortage of reserve power.

Late Tuesday, the agency sent the following message to retail suppliers and the Texas Public Utility Commission:

Capacity Insufficiency: ERCOT issues an OCN for a projected shortage of reserve capacity for hours ending 13:00 to 20:00. ERCOT asks all QSEs to update their COPs. ”

ERCOT is not yet asking people and businesses to save electricity, but the message is an indication that such a request could be made to Texans again today.

ERCOT officials said Tuesday that the conservation request is due to high power generation, which is typical for April, and higher-than-expected demand, caused by a cold front over Texas.

ERCOT Vice President of Scheduling and Operations Woody Rickerson announced the following statement on Tuesday’s announcement:

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‘Due to a combination of high-generation disruptions that typically occur in April and higher demand than predicted by a cold front over Texas, ERCOT could experience emergencies this afternoon.

‘Given the event in February, it’s important to note that we do not expect customer disruption. On the contrary, this emergency declaration enables us to access instruments that will bring supply and demand back in line. ”