Austin News

Energy Alliance Policy Director Bill Peacock said renewable energy sources including wind power might not be enough to keep Texans' electric power on this summer, and he faulted the state’s reliance on "green energy" when coal power and nuclear could meet the state's demand.

Renewable sources of power are getting the lion’s share of government subsidies. The majority of investment has been in renewables, with little corresponding investment in coal and nuclear, Peacock said. Peacock added the state might be alright if no surprise happens like the blizzard last winter that overwhelmed Texas’ power grid and knocked out power and heat for millions.

“If everything goes right, we should be OK,” Peacock told the Austin News. “Then again, that is what everyone thought only a few days before the worst blackouts in Texas history occurred this past winter.”

Peacock said power generated from wind turbines simply isn’t up to providing the power the state needs.

“It should be pointed out we already have low expectations for renewables in the summer, especially wind,” he said. “The total installed wind capacity in Texas is more than 25,000 megawatts (MW). However, ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) projects that only 6,700 MW of that will be available during the late summer afternoons, when electricity demand is at its highest."

Wind could fall as low as only 2,000 MWs of output, Peacock added. “In that case, Texas could face real difficulties.”

The difficulties include rolling power blackouts during potentially record heat waves this summer.    

ERCOT operates the electrical grid for Texas and manages a deregulated market for 75% of the state.

Peacock said if Texas used all the energy sources available including coal, nuclear, natural gas and renewables, the state would be swimming in energy. He said instead investors are putting their money into wind and solar farms.

“The sad truth is that wind and solar generation is driving reliable generation out of the Texas market,” Peacock said. “Since 2018, 77% of new generation has been renewables; either wind, solar, or batteries. New natural gas generation is only 23% of the total. And there has been no investment in coal or nuclear. The reason for this is renewable energy subsidies, which have been more than $2 billion a year since 2017. Investors keep chasing those dollars; they don't really care what happens to the grid as long as they get their subsidies.”

ERCOT officials said there should be enough electricity to power the grid this summer, but added in a news release that the unreliability of wind power could be a factor. 

A bill introduced in the Legislature sponsored by state Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-Tarrant County) would require ERCOT to purchase replacement power sufficient to manage unforeseen circumstances and emergencies.