Forced outages are load shed events controlled by ERCOT to reduce the demand of electricity on the power grid. They may also be referred to as blackouts, rolling blackouts, or controlled outages. Load shed events occur when the demand for electricity exceeds the power supply available and voluntary conservation efforts were not enough to reduce the strain on the electric grid. ERCOT will require forced outages on electric consumers to reduce the demand of electricity to maintain the integrity of the electric grid.

When forced outages (load shed events) occur, Central Texas Electric Co-op must comply with the load shed procedures as instructed by ERCOT.  Central Texas Electric Co-op does not control if, when, or how long the load shed event will last.  Central Texas Electric Co-op gets little to no warning when load shed events will occur. 

When the electric supply provided by all available power generation is not enough to meet customer demand for power, ERCOT begins emergency operations. During an ERCOT energy emergency, when there is not enough generation to meet consumer demand for power, and all other operational tools have been exhausted, power demand must be lowered to avoid uncontrolled blackouts.

Before every summer and winter, ERCOT forecasts potential electricity demand and capacity. If it appears that demand will exceed supply, ERCOT will initiate the Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS).  TXANS is ERCOT's early notification ahead of periods of higher demand.  TXANS serves as a resource to the public to follow ERCOT grid conditions and inform the public on grid condition levels and of any public action needed.

3 ways to get TXANS notifications:

1. Sign up for emails.
2. Follow ERCOT on social media: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
3. Download the ERCOT mobile app: iOS | Android

Grid Condition Levels

• Normal Grid Conditions
  • Supply and demand balanced
  • No action needed
• ERCOT Weather Watch
  • Normal Grid Conditions
  • Forecasted possible significant weather and high demand
  • Action
    • Monitor ERCOT grid condition updates
    • Plan ahead to reduce your energy use during higher-demand periods
• Voluntary Conservation Notice
  • Higher demand is forecasted with a lower energy supply
  • Action
    • ERCOT requests Texans to voluntarily conserve power during a specific conservation period, if safe to do so
    • ERCOT requests all government agencies (including city and county offices) to implement any and all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities
• Energy Emergency Alert (EEA)
  • System-wide emergency supply and demand conditions
    • EEA Level 1 - Low reserves. Tools deployed to meet demand
    • EEA Level 2 - Lower reserves. Additional tools deployed to meet demand
    • EEA Level 3 - Extremely low energy reserves. Controlled outages possible

As always, Central Texas Electric Co-op will monitor ERCOT grid conditions and conservation requests or energy emergencies. If emergency requests that involve forced outages for consumers are made by ERCOT, Central Texas Electric Co-op will comply with those as required and will send notifications as quickly as humanly possible*. Please ensure the contact information on your account are correct.

You are also encouraged to sign up to receive notifications directly from ERCOT through their Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS)

3 ways to get TXANS notifications:

1. Sign up for emails.
2. Follow ERCOT on social media: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
3. Download the ERCOT mobile app: iOS | Android

*Please note: Notices are sent out as quickly as humanly possible, but the situation on the grid can change very quickly. If ERCOT's reserve margins reach critical condition and ERCOT calls for load shed, the outages may begin before all notifications are able to be sent out and phone line may become overwhelmed. 

During load shed events, we are unable to tell you when you will be without power, how long the forced outages will last or when power will be restored since those answers depend on many factors outside of Central Texas Electric Co-op's control.  We will share the most current information we have received from ERCOT.

• Members must be prepared for a possible power outage without advance warning. As much as possible, all efforts will be made to provide advance notification of ERCOT-mandated load shedding, but there can be circumstances where such a notification isn’t possible.
• Members designated as critical load are not guaranteed an uninterrupted supply of electricity. It is the member's responsibility to arrange for alternative electric power sources in the event of any outage, including ERCOT load-shedding events.
• Members who depend on electric-powered medical equipment or those designated as critical care or chronic condition with CTEC are not guaranteed an uninterrupted, regular or continuous power supply. It is the member’s responsibility to arrange for alternative electric power sources in the event of any outage, including ERCOT load-shedding events.
• Load shedding is a mandatory emergency order from ERCOT based on the available generation and consumer demand. During load-shedding events, CTEC’s ERCOT transmission operator, the Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corp., is obligated to immediately implement load-shedding procedures. CTEC likely will not have sufficient information to notify members if or when they may lose power or how long the load-shedding event may last.
• In an extreme emergency, ERCOT may require electric utilities to shed large amounts of load over long periods of time. These outages are critical for ensuring the integrity of the state’s electric grid and preventing an uncontrolled system-wide blackout, which could last significantly longer than a load-shedding event.
•  CTEC, like all electric utilities in ERCOT’s service area, is required to comply with all ERCOT directions for shedding load until ERCOT ends the energy emergency.

Please help by conserving electricity in any way you can. This is important as long as ERCOT forced outages are in place.

Spring and Summer Conservation Tips:

• Turn up your thermostat 2-3 degrees from 3 to 7 p.m.; Adjust the thermostat even higher if no one will be home during the day.

• If home, use fans to feel 4-6 degrees cooler. Turn the fans off if no one is in the room.

• Set pool pumps to run early morning or overnight; program them to shut off from 3 to 7 p.m., since these are typically peak hours for summer months.

• Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.

• Avoid using large appliances, especially during peak hours.

• Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.

• Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.

Winter Conservation Tips:

• Turn down your thermostat to 68° in the daytime and 55° at night or when you're away from home.

• When at home, open blinds and shades during sunny days to take advantage of the sun's natural heat.

• Close shades and blinds at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.

• Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.

• Avoid using large appliances.

• Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.

• Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.

If someone in your home depends on an electrically operated health aid, sign up for Central Texas Electric Co-op's Medical Necessity Program. Please note, Central Texas Electric Co-op's Life Support Registry does not guarantee there will be no power interruptions. Power outages happen for many reasons that may be out of the cooperative's control. It is recommended for members on the Life Support Registry to ensure they have secondary power or a back up plan in the event of prolonged outages.