Politicians and officials in the electricity industry blame each other for state interruptions, but they are still unable to say how long this will last. Texas has its own power grid, managed by state and semi-private entities. These same groups are now playing the blame game, trying to find how the state could not keep the lights on for the jeans.
Gov. Greg Abbott leaves no one out when it comes to blaming the state’s energy failures. “Whether it is renewable energy, wind or solar energy, but also as I mentioned today, access to coal-fired energy and access to gas-generated energy have also been seen engaged, “he said.
By context, in 2020, wind and solar energy was responsible for approximately 25% of the state’s electricity generation throughout the year. Meanwhile, natural gas, coal and nuclear power accounted for about 69%.
Even if the wind was a major source, the reason for this failure is that much of the equipment has not been “wintered,” which may include the use of insulated heaters and pipes. This is something places like Minnesota do and their wind turbines don’t shut down due to the cold.
“Natural gas generators are the ones we all relied on to supply electricity. Some coal-fired power plants also had to fire and did not respond to the bell either.”
After a 2011 winter storm in Texas that paralyzed energy, a report recommended wintering energy sources. Ed Hirs, an economics and energy policy expert at the University of Houston, said the recommendations did not apply.
“The warnings have been there for years and Governor Abbott has done nothing. Before, Governor (Rick) Perry did nothing. It was a train wreck on the way to pass 10 years ago,” he said. Hirs.
Cooper Neill / Bloomberg through Getty