When Texas needed power for winter, guess what delivered? Hint: It wasn’t wind, solar

Wind and solar power deserve a frosty reception after last month’s freeze in Texas.

Since the fatal winter storm in February 2021, Texans have been apprehensive about the state electrical grid’s reliability in extreme weather. The grid primarily relies on coal and natural gas, but new investment to meet growing demand is skewed toward renewables.

While the grid did perform during the recent three-day freeze, it highlighted the potential pitfalls of over-dependence on wind and solar. Recent weather conditions should serve as a warning to those pushing dependence on renewable energy: Texas must bolster its dispatchable, reliable energy sources to avoid future grid reliability problems.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, provides about 90% of the state’s electricity. In 2023, wind and solar accounted for about 39% of ERCOT’s electricity supply, while natural gas and coal accounted for nearly 53% percent combined. During the recent cold spell, renewables significantly underperformed, leaving Texans to rely on coal and gas.

Clean energy advocates love to highlight when wind and solar account for 40% of ERCOT’s generation. During this cold spell, climate activist groups and national media praised wind and solar for helping sustain the grid, pointing out that on Jan. 17 (when temperatures were rising), wind, solar and nuclear were responsible for nearly 59% of state power supply. Nevertheless, during times of peak demand, wind and solar were virtually nowhere to be found.

(continued) https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article285017617.html#storylink=cpy