Extreme temperatures can strain the state’s electric grid. When enough power plants aren’t available, utilities across Texas may be asked to drop or turn off circuits to reduce electric load, resulting in temporary power outages “rolling” across segments of each utility’s service area. These outages are usually the last resort after measures already have been taken to preserve power.

More than 23 million consumers, including CPS Energy customers in Greater San Antonio, share power from Texas’ electric grid. And that number continues to grow. In many areas, utilities are being challenged to meet the increasing demand for power created by population growth and the economic development that accompanies it.

Triple-digit heat and freezing temperatures present another challenge – millions of customers turning their thermostats up or down to maintain comfort. Heating and cooling systems are one of the largest consumers of electricity. Millions of these devices working overtime, in addition to current electrical demand, can further challenge the state’s power supply.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power on the statewide grid. It schedules power that connects more than 40,000 miles of transmission lines and more than 550 generation units or power plants. For its part, CPS Energy produces and distributes enough power to meet the daily needs of our customers, while providing the statewide grid with additional power.

When the state experiences extreme weather events, the grid’s reserve supply of electricity may be reduced. When power reserves fall below a certain threshold, ERCOT initiates a series of emergency procedures intended to maintain service and preserve the grid so as to avoid an even more serious consequence – a statewide blackout.

A Level 1 emergency calls on all Texans to voluntarily conserve energy, such as adjusting their thermostats, shutting off unused lights and appliances, and delaying the use of electricity-consuming appliances during summer peak demand time (3 – 7 p.m.).  At Level 2, ERCOT calls on demand response participants – commercial and industrial customers who voluntarily reduce their load in exchange for financial incentives – to save energy. Voluntary reductions may preserve enough resources to keep ERCOT from calling for rotating outages.

If resources remain limited and there is not enough power to meet statewide demand, ERCOT declares a Level 3 emergency. At this stage, each utility is given notice and required to begin circuit outages almost immediately. Locally, CPS Energy begins to turn off multiple electric circuits within our service area. These temporary outages should be 15 to 45 minutes in length. If ERCOT requires further conservation, a new set of circuits may be dropped – prior to or after the previous circuits are restored, depending on how quickly ERCOT is calling for the required action. Circuits that include essential or emergency services such as hospitals and circuits that have critical infrastructure, like water or natural gas pumping, are not included in this outage plan.

As outages are ordered by the state, CPS Energy will begin efforts to notify customers that they may experience an interruption to their electric service. We will use cpsenergy.com to post information regarding outages. Additionally, the news media and social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter will be utilized to increase awareness.

Customers also may receive notices directly from us through a CPS Energy Alert – a phone, email and/or text message notifying them of an outage to their home or business.  An Alert will be sent to the phone and email address currently listed on your account. If you would prefer an Alert to be sent to a different phone number or email address – such as a mobile phone or work email address – you can update your Alert preferences through Manage My Account on cpsenergy.com.