A recent analysis identifies Texas as the second most vulnerable state for summer power disruptions, trailing only Michigan. The assessment, conducted by Wolf River Electric, examined widespread outages affecting over 5,000 utility customers between 2019 and 2023. Texas recorded 7,164 summertime power outages during that timeframe.

While Michigan experienced a higher number of overall summertime outages, Texas ranks first for the total hours of disruption – averaging 35,440 hours annually, equivalent to roughly 1,477 days. This indicates that power outages in Texas tend to be significantly longer, creating challenges for both residents and businesses during the summer months.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) forecasts a potential record for peak electricity demand this August, projecting 85,759 megawatts, surpassing the previous high of 85,508 megawatts set in August 2023. Looking ahead to 2025, natural gas is anticipated to comprise 37.7% of ERCOT’s summertime power generation capacity, with wind energy at 22.9% and solar energy contributing 19%.

ERCOT anticipates that four months will exceed a peak demand of 80,000 megawatts: June 2025 (82,243 megawatts), July 2025 (84,103 megawatts), August 2025 (85,759 megawatts), and September 2025 (80,773 megawatts). To put this in perspective, one megawatt is capable of powering approximately 250 homes during periods of high electricity demand.

The increased demand for electricity in Texas is largely attributable to factors such as the growth of data centers, the proliferation of artificial intelligence applications, and overall population growth, all of which are placing considerable strain on the ERCOT power grid. To address this, ERCOT has proposed a $33 billion initiative focused on enhancing power transmission capabilities.