ERCOT expects tight reserves at start of summer

News Release

March 05, 2014

More than 2,100 MW of new generation expected on-line by August

AUSTIN, TX, MARCH 5, 2014 – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), grid operator for most of Texas, today released its final Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy (SARA) for this spring and a preliminary outlook for the coming summer.

Although tight conditions are likely on the electric grid during the early summer months, the outlook improves by late summer, when more than 2,100 megawatts (MW) from four new natural gas-fired generation resources are slated to begin commercial operations.

“While we anticipate sufficient generation for summer, conditions may become tight — potentially requiring conservation measures to protect the grid — if we see extremely high demand during the early summer, before these new units begin operating,” said Warren Lasher, ERCOT director of System Planning.

The new combined-cycle gas-fired power plants¾Ferguson, Panda Sherman, Panda Temple I and Deer Park Energy Center¾are scheduled to begin operating by Aug. 1, with one unit scheduled to bring new capacity on-line in early July.

Peak demand for this summer is expected to exceed 68,000 megawatts (MW). One MW is enough electricity to power about 200 homes when demand is highest. ERCOT’s all-time record peak of 68,305 MW occurred on Aug. 3, 2011, during the hottest summer on record.

For more:

http://ercot.com/news/press_releases/show/26606