Will The Texas Power Grid Hold During The Polar Vortex?

Texans are preparing for cold air to send temperatures plummeting next week as a polar vortex moves across the state. As Texans are preparing their homes for what could be days of very cold temperatures, even below 32 in many areas, they are also wondering how the power grid will hold up during this round of cold weather.

ERCOT officials say that while they expect an increase in demand next week for power, they believe the grid will be "adequate" during the polar vortex.

According to SpectrumNews.com, officials with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas believe that most of the freezing temperatures will be overnight and in the mornings and that they believe the grid will be "adequate in a winter storm". Officials did tell SpectrumNews.com that there is a 50 to 80% chance of rolling blackouts if a storm lasted several days.

READ MORE: A Polar Vortex Will Send Temperatures Plunging in Texas Soon

Officials with ERCOT say they still aren't sure how long the cold air will last in Texas, but they do plan on seeing an increase in demand beginning early next week when the arctic front is expected to arrive according to SpectrumNews.com.

“One of the things that we don’t really know for sure is how long this is going to last, these polar air masses being very dense and heavy. They tend to get into the area and then just hang around until something comes along to push them out,” said Robertson.

In correlation with low temperatures, ERCOT forecasts show an increased energy demand early next week. Energy expert Ed Hirs predicts the power plants will remain operable, but at a cost to consumers.

“If a few of these plants don’t show up, then the price across the grid will go from, say, $50 a megawatt hour to $5,000 a megawatt hour, or in wholesale terms for the consumer, it will go from 5 cents a kilowatt hour to $5 a kilowatt hour,” said Hirs.

We will continue to have updates on the arctic front as it gets closer.