ERCOT cancels the energy saving notice for Texans and issues a new warning

HOUSTON Hours after canceling the emergency warning issued Tuesday, the Texas Electric Reliability Council issued another advisory warning on Wednesday of a potential reserve power shortage.

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

“Lack of capacity: ERCOT issues an OCN for an expected shortage of reserve capacity for hours ending from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ERCOT asks all QSEs to update their COPs. “

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

Officials at ERCOT said Tuesday’s conservation request due to high generator outages, which is typical of April, and higher-than-predicted demand caused by a stalled cold front over Texas.

Woody Rickerson, ERCOT’s Vice President of Grid Planning and Operations, released the following statement regarding Tuesday’s notification:

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“As a result of a combination of high-generation outages, typically in April, and higher-than-expected demand from a stalled cold front over Texas, ERCOT could find itself in emergency this afternoon.

“Given the event in February, it is important to note that we do not expect customer outages. This emergency statement gives us earlier access to tools that bring supply and demand back into line. “