Cybersecurity Concerns Rise as Data Centers Strain Texas Grid

A new report reveals that the growing number of data centers in Texas could strain the state's power grid this winter. According to a report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, known as ERCOT, may face challenges due to the increasing energy demands from these facilities.

Dolores Hidalgo, a Houston resident, expressed her concerns about winter power outages, recalling the severe winter storm in February 2021 that left more than two-thirds of Texans without power for nearly three days.

Energy Ogre COO David Kinchen emphasized that data centers represent very large power loads, comparable to refinery-type loads, rather than typical warehouse energy usage. Prior to the 2021 winter storm, Texas had just 13 registered data centers.

However, that number has surged to nearly 100 today, raising alarms about the potential impact on ERCOT. Kinchen pointed out that while the state currently has additional power generation capabilities, there are worries that this could change.

Last year, Texas experienced peak loads around 80 to 85 megawatts, with projections suggesting another 100 megawatts could be added from new data centers. ERCOT data indicates that the likelihood of outages in January is low, at just one percent, but many residents remain skeptical, recalling the turmoil from the previous winter storm.

The report also highlights that data centers operate continuously, which may alter traditional peak power usage periods, further complicating the grid management. Efforts to assess winter preparedness and the impact of data centers have been ongoing, but ERCOT has yet to provide comment on these findings.

For updates on this evolving situation, follow reporter Nick Natario on social media platforms.