Ercot

Persistently low U.S. natural gas prices helped keep wholesale electricity prices down in 2019, according to a report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) Friday.

The grid operator for 90% of the Texas power market said Thursday its planning reserve margin for next summer is forecast to be 10.6%, which is 2% higher than the reported margin going into last summer’s peak demand season, as new capacity additions come online from renewable and small, flexible natural gas-fired resources.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the electric grid serving most of the state, expects to have sufficient installed generating capacity, including from natural gas, to serve forecasted peak demand this winter and into next spring. PJM Interconnection also said it is prepared to meet winter demands across its 13 member states and the District of Columbia.

Operating electric power reserves for Texas still look tight for this summer on growth in the Permian Basin and along the Gulf Coast, but they have improved in the past three months thanks in part to the return of a 365 MW natural gas-fired unit, according to the power grid that oversees flows to 90% of the state’s customers.

The electric grid operator for Texas said record power consumption this summer and an increased chance of energy alerts would allow the operator to take advantage of additional resources if needed to meet demand.

The electric grid operator of Texas is facing tighter reserve margins next summer as increasing oil and natural gas development in far West Texas, home of the prolific Permian Basin, continues to drive up electricity demand in the state.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages the flow of power to most of the state, said Thursday capacity should be adequate across the system through winter.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) continues to expect record peak usage this summer, but the grid operator for most of the state said Monday that it has sufficient resources to meet the strong demand.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which serves most of the state, said tight operating reserves and expected record-breaking peak use this summer could lead to requests for customers at times to voluntarily reduce power demand.