investment in generation and transmission lines helping meet ercot electric demand
DESCRIPTION
Despite record electricity demand in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region in 2011, the ERCOT electric system has remained reliable, due to investment in new generation and transmission lines needed to ensure reliability and a strong market framework to promote that investment.TRANSCRIPT
Investment in Generation and Transmission Lines Helping Meet ERCOT Electric Demand
Despite record electricity demand in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region in 2011, the ERCOT electric system has remained reliable, due to investment in new generation and transmission lines needed to ensure reliability and a strong market framework to promote that investment.
Legislative advertising paid for by: John W. Fainter, Jr., President and CEO
Association of Electric Companies of Texas, Inc. 1005 Congress, Suite 600 • Austin, TX 78701
phone 512-474-6725 • www.aect.net
Transmission: Since 2010, TDUs have invested about $870 million in the ERCOT transmission grid. ERCOT estimates that the electric grid will require adding or improving 6,693 circuit miles of transmission lines at a cost of almost $8.7 billion from 2012 through 2017 and beyond.
Generation: The competitive market has steadily added new generation and greater efficiency to the wholesale market. Generators in the competitive market shoulder the risk of building new power plants, bringing efficient, cost-effective generation to consumers.
Source: ERCOT, “Report on Existing and Potential Electrical System Constraints and Needs,” January 2012