August 13, 2019

Austin, TX, Aug. 13, 2019 – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) canceled its Energy Emergency Alert (EEA1) at 5 p.m. today and returned to normal grid operations by 5:30 p.m.

"Extreme heat across the state resulted in high usage today," said ERCOT President and CEO Bill Magness. "Declaring an EEA1 allowed us to access tools to maintain reliability, and we appreciate everyone’s response to the conservation appeal."

At 3:10 p.m. today, ERCOT issued an EEA1 due to operating reserves below 2,300 MW. During normal grid conditions, ERCOT’s operating reserves are at or above 3,000 MW. This is the first time ERCOT has issued an EEA1 since January 2014.

One megawatt (MW) is enough to power 200 homes on a hot summer day.

When ERCOT issues an EEA, it is then able to take advantage of additional resources that are only available during tight operating conditions.

This afternoon, the average real-time market energy price reached the $9,000/MWh offer cap for multiple 15-minute settlement intervals.

ERCOT set a new all-time peak demand record on Monday, Aug. 12, when demand reached 74,531 MW between 4 and 5 p.m. Today’s peak came in at 74,181 MW between 3 and 4 p.m.

Consumers can monitor real-time grid conditions by downloading the ERCOT mobile app in the Apple Store and Google Play and/or by following ERCOT on Twitter.