Historic Heat Strains Texas Power Grid Amid Population Growth
Texas is experiencing extreme heat, with 'feels like' temperatures in the Houston metro area exceeding 100°F (37.8°C) in recent weeks (source: Bloomberg Law). The state's unique power grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), is under pressure due to rising energy demands from population growth and the increasing presence of energy-intensive data centers. On July 22, ERCOT recorded an unofficial all-time July peak of 91,089 megawatts, surpassing the previous day's record. Despite maintaining over 20,000 megawatts in reserve, the grid's reliability remains a concern as Texas faces hotter days and nights, extending cooling demands. 
