Weather & Science
Texas Is Warned of Blackout Risk as Sun Sets This Summer
- Texas warned of potential blackouts after the sun sets
- Soaring demand, extreme weather are behind supply concerns
A solar farm in Hill County, Texas.
Photographer: Mark Felix/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The risk of power failures this summer remains elevated for many parts of North America amid soaring demand and generator shutdowns.
The main Texas grid is especially vulnerable at sunset when solar generation plunges and demand remains high, with the riskiest hour from 8 to 9 p.m. in August, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said in its summer assessment Wednesday. There’s an 18% probability a grid emergency will be declared and a nearly 15% chance for controlled blackouts in that period.