Texas Electric Grids: Demand and Supply

Texas is one of the few states who has its own electric grid. In the rest of the country, and since 1935, power plants connect to two main larger grids: one that serves the Eastern half of the country, and one that powers the Western half. Updated 2 years ago
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Map of Texas Electric Power Grids

Map of Texas Electric Power Grids

This map approximates the boundaries of the four electric power grids, with actual territories spreading slightly beyond county lines. Click to enlarge (pdf).

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) operates the electric grid for 75 percent of the state.

The Panhandle, South Plains and a corner of Northeast Texas are under the Southwest Power Pool (SPP).

El Paso and the far western corner of the Trans Pecos are under the Western Electric Coordinating Council (WECC).

The southeast corner of Texas is under the Southeastern Electric Reliability Corporation (SERC).

The councils were first formed in 1968 to ensure adequate bulk power supply.

 In the chart below for summer use, note the slim margin of supply and demand in the hot summer of 2011 for the ERCOT area.

 

Electricity demand and capacity

 Click to enlarge (pdf).

 

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