Generating capacity adequate next year


CSA Z463 Electrical Maintenance -

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$249
Coupon Price:
$199
Reserve Your Seat Today
Texas should have an adequate reserve of electricity generation capacity in 2008 and an improved outlook through 2013 because of the addition of new coal-fired and gas-fired plants, the operator of the state's biggest electricity grid said.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees the grid that serves about 80 percent of the state, issued the new estimates in an update to its May forecast. That report had anticipated the state's reserve - the surplus of generating capacity over expected consumption - to barely meet the desired 12.5 percent margin in 2008 and to slip well below it in the subsequent years.

ERCOT said the state should have 72,416 megawatts of generating capacity in 2008, compared with 64,010 megawatts in demand, for a reserve of 13.1 percent. That's expected to dip to 12.1 percent in 2009 as demand growth is expected to outstrip the addition of nearly 1,400 megawatts of new capacity that year.

The gains for 2009 and 2010 are principally from three new coal-fired units under construction by Luminant, formerly TXU, which were awaiting air permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in May and were not counted by ERCOT.

Those plan s were granted their permits and will add 2,291 megawatts of capacity in 2009 and 2010, ERCOT said. ERCOT also said 893 megawatts of new capacity are planned in 2008 but don't qualify to be counted in its current outlook. Additionally, more than 4,400 megawatts of generating capacity from mothballed plants could be used.

Related News

Brazil tax strategy to bring down fuel, electricity prices seen having limited effects

Brazil ICMS Tax Cap limits state VAT on fuels, natural gas, electricity, communications, and transit,…
View more

Coronavirus could stall a third of new U.S. utility solar this year: report

U.S. Utility-Scale Solar Delays driven by the coronavirus pandemic threaten construction timelines, supply chains, and…
View more

Ukraine Boosts Electricity Imports From Europe as Grid Faces War Strain

Ukraine has increased electricity imports from Europe to stabilize its energy system after Russian strikes…
View more

Taiwan's economic minister resigns over widespread power outage

Taiwan Power Blackout disrupts Taipei and commercial hubs after a Taoyuan natural gas plant error,…
View more

Toronto Power Outages Persist for Hundreds After Spring Storm

Toronto Hydro Storm Outages continue after strong winds and heavy rain, with crews restoring power,…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified