The Texas network operator has held talks with financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs Group Inc., about possible financing options to address a deficit of more than $ 3 billion in electricity payments, as some market participants they agree to pay their fee, according to people who are familiar with the subject.
The Texas Electric Reliability Council has held preliminary discussions with Goldman Sachs investment bankers on measures, such as a credit possibility, that would cover amounts that electricity buyers have not paid after last month’s energy crisis , as these people said.
Ercot, which acts as a hub for the exchange of payments for buyers and sellers of electricity, has issued large bills for energy purchased as the winter freeze swept the state and raised energy prices. Some municipal utilities, electric cooperatives and electricity retailers have disputed the bills, while others have declared bankruptcy or indicated they could seek judicial protection.
Ercot said Thursday he was missing nearly $ 3.1 billion in mandatory payments, as he previously said he had less than $ 2.1 billion. On Friday, San Antonio Public Energy CPS Energy filed a lawsuit against Ercot, to prevent the network operator from trying to recover from CPS the costs that other energy retailers have not paid.
Ercot let energy prices skyrocket when last month’s winter storm ravaged Texas as electricity demand increased and some power generators could not run due to fuel shortages. and equipment freezing.