CenterPoint Energy’s outage tracker shows that more than half of its customers still don’t have electricity on the night of February 16 (screenshot courtesy of CenterPoint Energy)
CenterPoint Energy officials said in a Feb. 16 statement that their customers could be without electricity for several more days as Texas Electric Reliability Council tries to stabilize the state’s power grid.
“Due to ongoing problems with the ability of power generators to produce electricity, CenterPoint Energy customers need to be prepared to run out of electricity, potentially during the duration of the generation shortage event, which could last a few more days, “the statement said.
The state’s electricity supply has fallen short of demand. As such, the interruptions that have occurred last longer than previously anticipated, according to the statement. To comply with the ERCOT directive, CenterPoint has had to suspend the service to some of its customers.
As of 4:28 p.m., Feb. 16, 1.23 million CenterPoint customers were without electricity, more than half of CenterPoint customers.
The statement states that CenterPoint is an electric transportation and delivery company that serves the Greater Houston area, so it depends on electricity supplied by third-party electricity generators and received by ERCOT; CenterPoint does not control the power grid.
“We are ready to restore energy as soon as it is available for delivery; however, there is not enough electricity from external generators, “CenterPoint President and CEO Dave Lesar said in a statement.” CenterPoint Energy continues to communicate with the Texas Electric Reliability Council and other stakeholders. about energy shortages, but we have no control over the ability of generators to provide power, nor are we able to predict when they will resume their generation. As soon as the energy is delivered to us, we will be ready to start delivering it to our customers. “
According to the statement, CenterPoint Energy resumed the rotary cuts during the night of February 15, but was forced to stop the rotary cuts due to the ERCOT directive to reduce grid voltage again. Seven third-party electricity generators in the CenterPoint area went offline, causing the power reduction, according to the statement.
If additional generators are disconnected, additional power outages will occur.
“Given the uncertain timing and ongoing public safety risks due to severe weather conditions in Houston and surrounding areas, CenterPoint Energy advises all its electric customers to be prepared to be without electricity, potentially for the duration of the operation. “Generation shortage event, which could last several more days. We encourage all of our customers to take precautions for their personal safety,” said Kenny Mercado, executive vice president of CenterPoint’s power grid.
According to the statement, customers who still have energy are being asked to conserve it and natural gas customers are being asked to temporarily lower the thermostat to help conserve natural gas.