Politicians and power industry officials blame each other for state interruptions, but they can not yet say how long it will take. Texas has its own power grid that is run by state and semi-private agencies. The same groups are now playing the debt game and trying to figure out how the state could not turn on the lights for Texans.
Governor Greg Abbott leaves no one behind when it comes to blaming the state’s energy failures. “Whether it is renewable power, such as wind or solar power, but also as I mentioned today, access to coal power, access to gas generated power has also been jeopardized,” he said.
In context, wind and solar energy accounted for approximately 25% of the state’s electricity generation during 2020. Meanwhile, natural gas, coal and nuclear power combined about 69%.
Even though wind was a major source, the reason for the failure a large part of the equipment is not ‘winter’, which may include the use of heaters and insulated pipes. This is something that places like Minnesota do and their wind turbines do not go silent in the cold.
“The natural gas generators are the ones we all counted on to provide electricity. Some coal plants also had to burn, and they did not answer the bell either,”
After a winter storm in Texas in 2011 that paralyzed power, a report recommends wintering power sources. Ed Hirs, an expert in energy economics and policy at the University of Houston, said the recommendations are not being implemented.
“The warnings have been around for years and Governor Abbott did nothing. Before that, Governor (Rick) Perry did nothing. It was a train wreck on the way to happen ten years ago,” Hirs said.
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