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🗞️ Driving the news: Texas power demand hit a record high for the sixth time this summer on Monday, as residents continued to use air conditioners extensively to combat a persistent heatwave
• The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), responsible for operating the grid for over 26 million customers, confirmed that it had sufficient resources to cater to the increased demand
🔭 The context: With the grim recollections of the devastating 2021 storm still lingering, Texas grapples with renewed fears about grid stability amidst severe weather
• Yet, the state's growing commitment to wind and solar power provides a silver lining, aiding in power provision during times of soaring demand
🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: The increased usage of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to meet the record-breaking demand could be seen as a step towards reducing the state's reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to global efforts to tackle climate change
⏭️ What's next: With the ongoing heatwave, ERCOT is expecting power usage to reach 84,332 MW on Tuesday, which would once again break the demand record set on Monday
📈 One stat: ERCOT's preliminary estimation indicates that power usage hit 83,047 MW on Monday, which is approximately 2,744 MW over last year's demand record of 80,148 MW set in July 2022.
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