Texas grid operator endorses $590M Houston power project
The Electric Reliabilty Council of Texas (ERCOT) on Tuesday endorsed a $590 million plan to expand capacity to import power into Houston from other parts of the state. The plan, which ERCOT’s board of directors deemed critical for reliability, would include a 130-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line, upgrades to three substations and improvements to an existing 11-mile line. CenterPoint Energy, Cross Texas Transmission and Garland Power & Light proposed the plan to ERCOT last year. The Public Utility Commission of Texas must review the plan before construction can begin.
ERCOT said in a statement power plant retirements in the Houston area have outpaced new generation by about 2,000 megawatts. Facilities currently importing power into the region are nearing their limits, ERCOT said.