Understanding 

involuntary load shed

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power for about 90% of the state’s electric grid, roughly 26 million customers. If there's a situation where there isn't enough electricity supply to meet consumer demand (load), ERCOT may instruct your transmission and distribution utility (TDU) company (CenterPoint, Oncor, AEP Texas, Texas-New Mexico Power) to implement temporary service interruptions. This is done to help protect the electric grid and is known as involuntary load shedding. For information about your TDU’s procedures for implementing involuntary load shedding initiated by ERCOT, please click on the link above that corresponds to the utility for your service area.

What you should know:

• nvoluntary load shedding is most likely during peak demand hours (typically 5 – 8 a.m. and 4 – 9 p.m.) or extreme weather.
• Involuntary load shedding is used as a last resort when all other means for balancing supply and demand have been exhausted.
• Outages are temporary and will only last until ERCOT determines that controlled outages are no longer required, with the length of time depending on conditions.
• This process is not controlled by Cirro Energy or any other retail electric provider; it is ordered by ERCOT.
• All areas serviced by ERCOT have the potential to be affected.

If you have power, conserving energy during an involuntary load shedding event can help ERCOT restore balance sooner for others. Here are simple ways to reduce your energy usage:

• Raise your thermostat 2-3 degrees in the summer.
• If you have an electric heater, lower your thermostat 1-2 degrees in the winter.
• Unplug nonessential devices and lighting.
• Use large appliances sparingly.

Check out more energy-saving tips ›