Texas power grid operator looks to keep up with increasing demand [Video]

The head of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas told its board of directors on Tuesday that dynamic growth in Texas is pushing demand for electricity.

That extra demand is putting pressure on the grid to perform both now and in the future.

“The combined effect of all of this is beginning to illuminate a picture that looks very different than what we have seen in prior forecast,” said ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas. 

Explosive population growth, greater demand for data centers and evolving AI are fueling the Texas economy and a greater demand for energy.

“I believe it’s going to increase exponentially as we continue to attract more and more business” said Bruce Bullock, the director of the SMU Maguire Energy Institute.

The forecast is for increased electricity demand in the next five years.

“This is the opportunity to work together to figure out what that resource mix of dispatchable wind and solar is going to …