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    WHAT IS INVOLUNTARY LOAD SHEDDING?

    WHAT IS INVOLUNTARY LOAD SHEDDING?

     

    The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power for about 90% of the state’s electric grid (roughly 26 million customers). If there's a situation where there isn't enough electricity supply to meet consumer demand (also known as ‘load’), ERCOT may instruct your transmission and distribution service provider (TDSP, also known as your local utility company) to implement temporary service interruptions. This is done to help protect the electric grid and is known as involuntary load shedding.

     

    For information about your TDSP’s procedures for implementing involuntary load shedding initiated by ERCOT, please click on the link that corresponds to the utility for your service area:

     

    · CenterPoint
    · Oncor
    · AEP Texas
    · Texas-New Mexico Power

     

    Please know that, although involuntary load shedding events are not controlled by Discount Power, we will work to keep our customers as informed as possible.

     

    The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power for about 90% of the state’s electric grid (roughly 26 million customers). If there's a situation where there isn't enough electricity supply to meet consumer demand (also known as ‘load’), ERCOT may instruct your transmission and distribution service provider (TDSP, also known as your local utility company) to implement temporary service interruptions. This is done to help protect the electric grid and is known as involuntary load shedding.

     

    For information about your TDSP’s procedures for implementing involuntary load shedding initiated by ERCOT, please click on the link that corresponds to the utility for your service area:

     

    · CenterPoint
    · Oncor
    · AEP Texas
    · Texas-New Mexico Power

     

    Please know that, although involuntary load shedding events are not controlled by Discount Power, we will work to keep our customers as informed as possible.

    WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

    WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

    • Involuntary load shedding is most likely during peak demand hours (typically 5 – 8 a.m. and 4 – 9 p.m.) or during extreme weather.
    • Involuntary load shedding is used as a last resort when all other means for balancing supply and demand have been exhausted.
    • Outages are temporary and will only last until ERCOT determines that controlled
 outages are no longer required. The length of an outage will depend on the conditions that caused it.
    • This process is not controlled by Discount Power or any other retail electric provider; it is ordered by ERCOT.
    • All areas serviced by ERCOT have the potential to be affected.

    YOU CAN HELP REDUCE ELECTRICAL LOAD ON THE GRID.

    If you have power, conserving energy during an involuntary load shedding event can help ERCOT restore balance sooner for others.
Here are a few simple ways to reduce your energy usage:

    Raise your thermostat 2-3° in
the summer.
     

    If you have an electric heater, lower your thermostat 1-2° in the winter.

    Unplug nonessential devices
and lighting.

    Use large appliances sparingly.

     

    Check out more energy-saving tips here.

    View Tips