双碳研究 | 德州电网告急！2026年或现电荒，30亿美元节能计划能否化解危机？

Core Insights - Texas is preparing for a record-breaking hot summer, with state lawmakers taking measures to coordinate billions of dollars in energy-saving projects due to warnings that electricity demand may exceed supply as early as 2026 [2][3] - The Texas Electric Reliability Council (ERCOT) predicts that electricity demand could nearly double by 2030, driven by population growth, extreme weather, and large industrial users such as cryptocurrency mining and data centers [2][3] Legislative Actions - The Texas legislature passed House Bill 5323, establishing the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee to reduce energy waste and improve grid reliability [2][4] - The new committee will integrate eight state agencies, including the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT, to manage existing funding for demand-side reduction projects, with an estimated total expenditure exceeding $3 billion [3][4] Demand-Side Reduction Potential - Proper coordination of current projects could reduce peak demand by up to 4.5 gigawatts, which, while a small fraction of Texas's 86 gigawatts peak demand, could be critical during extreme weather events [3] - ERCOT's forecasts indicate a potential 6.2% gap between energy supply and peak demand by summer 2026, escalating to 32.4% by summer 2029, primarily due to the growth of energy-intensive industries [3][4] Challenges and Future Outlook - Balancing economic growth with grid reliability is a challenge as Texas attracts high-energy-consuming businesses [4] - The advisory committee will meet quarterly and submit biennial reports to the state legislature starting December 2026, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and reduce consumption [4][5] - Current state energy-saving projects have already saved approximately 4 megawatts of electricity, which is crucial during tight grid conditions [5][6]