ERCOT January 2025 MORA Paints Dark Picture

by | Nov 8, 2024 | Industry News, Living in Texas

What’s in the January 2025 MORA?

The January 2025 MORA shows what ERCOT sees as the worst case operating scenario this winter. Find out what it covers and how to prepare.
ERCOT’s January 2025 MORA report looks at a winter worst case scenario with extreme cold and high demand. Find out how to prepare for high winter bills now..

As January approaches, the ERCOT January 2025 MORA (Monthly Outlook for Resource Adequacy) report raises serious concerns. This report looks at how the Texas electricity grid might handle high demand in cold winter conditions. By gaming out extreme winter weather and peak electric usage, ERCOT estimates the chances of power emergencies. Let’s find out what these cases involve and how you can plan for them. 

Reading the January 2025 MORA Predictions

ERCOT’s report considered scenarios of high electric demand due to severe winter weather. It studied how demand could climb above 75,000 MW — the point where risks start to increase. For this winter, ERCOT has lined up 99,700 MW of available capacity. But power outages could occur if demand surges higher, likely coming from extreme cold snaps. And that would leave Texans in the dark. Just replay in your mind the events of 2021’s Winter Storm Uri. 

Recent winters show Texas cold can be unpredictable, and you need to prepare for sudden freezes. So, grab some extra batteries, bottled water, and other key items on your next shopping trip. And make sure you brush up on winter weather preparedness best practices. After all, you’d rather have supplies and not need them than need supplies and not have them. Or you could save a life, including your own.   

Risks During Peak Load Hours

Specifically, the January 2025 MORA identifies critical hours when the power grid faces the highest risk of shortages. These peak load hours, including 8:00 a.m. and early evening, could see increased demand as people use more power. At these times, people get ready for or come home from the workday. So, power usage climbs. HVAC systems, coffee pots, crockpots, and all other sorts of devices flip on and draw power. And this happens all across Texas.

In these twilight hours, solar farms make less power. The grid’s capacity could stretch thin, especially with new loads like data centers that pull power 24/7. Texas’s energy demand is on the rise! And it won’t level off any time soon. So, this low-supply/high-demand relationship can raise Texas electricity rates.

The ERCOT grid relies heavily on dispatchable power plants. These include power plants that burn natural gas and coal, which can quickly increase output to meet demand. However, wind and solar energy sources, crucial to Texas’s energy future, are more variable. Low wind output could put extra pressure on the grid. But then again, diversity in power sources is a strength for Texas.  

How January 2025 MORA Affects Texas Power Customers

ERCOT’s analysis suggests that while Texas has made the grid better, challenges remain. Even so, customers need power plans whether the grid fails or not. And the best place to shop is at https://www.texaselectricityratings.com/electricity-rates

So, you have two new items for your to-do list. First, gather your winter supplies. And second, save on a new power plan from Texas Electricity Ratings.

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