Texas may be heading into another perilous winter season, with officials warning that the state’s power grid remains vulnerable to extreme cold. After the catastrophic Winter Storm Uri in 2021, which caused widespread power outages, fatalities, and chaos, Texans were left hoping that improvements would be made to the state’s electricity infrastructure. However, ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) has recently issued a troubling prediction, revealing that there is still an 80% chance of blackouts if Texas faces a storm similar to Winter Storm Uri.
Despite efforts to improve the grid through inspections and stricter requirements, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas admitted that significant progress is still needed. Officials have highlighted the likelihood of extreme cold in early 2025, raising concerns about the grid’s ability to withstand another devastating storm.
ERCOT’s operational forecasting supervisor, Chris Coleman, likened the situation to a “tornado watch,” emphasizing that while extreme cold weather is possible, it is not guaranteed. For residents, this means it might be wise to consider backup power solutions, like generators, as the risk of power disruptions looms.
