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A REVIEW OF THE TEXAS ECONOMY
Energy Infrastructure and Texas' Diversified Energy Portfolio
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) operates the electric grid of Texas and oversees the delivery of power to more than 26 million Texans. The state’s population is growing by nearly 1,300 new residents per day, with 75 percent moving from outside Texas and births accounting for the remaining 25 percent.* With that kind of demand for power, Texas needs an energy plan that is long-term, diverse, and reliable to sustain the growth in population and business.
ERCOT Annual Peak Demand, 2012-2023
View Peak Demand Data
| Year | Demand (MW) |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 66,548 |
| 2013 | 67,245 |
| 2014 | 66,454 |
| 2015 | 69,877 |
| 2016 | 71,110 |
| 2017 | 69,512 |
| 2018 | 73,473 |
| 2019 | 74,820 |
| 2020 | 74,376 |
| 2021 | 73,687 |
| 2022 | 80,148 |
| 2023 | 85,508 |
The demand for energy has grown dramatically and is projected to reach a peak demand of 90,978 MW by the year 2032.
In 2022, Texas produced more than a quarter of both the nation’s marketed natural gas and wind-sourced electricity.
The Comptroller recently finished his Good for Texas Tour: Energy Edition exploring potential shortfalls in readily available energy. This vulnerability is a concerning challenge facing our state. The tour focused on the breadth of our energy resources. The still-existing need for various types of generation, infrastructure, maintenance and support — includes a trained, skilled workforce. Electric Reliability Council of Texas oversees power for 26 million customers, 90 percent of our state.
Wind and solar energy have grown significantly, while at the same time natural gas growth has proved steady, remaining a significant component of our energy mix.
Annual ERCOT Generation, 2012-2023
View generation data
| YEAR | Other | Gas | Nuclear | Coal | Solar | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,154 | 145,002 | 38,441 | 109,747 | 123 | 29,803 |
| 2013 | 1,014 | 134,357 | 38,343 | 123,232 | 149 | 32,705 |
| 2014 | 865 | 139,762 | 39,287 | 122,483 | 303 | 36,142 |
| 2015 | 1,127 | 167,894 | 39,384 | 97,655 | 421 | 40,786 |
| 2016 | 1,714 | 153,492 | 42,091 | 101,107 | 837 | 53,146 |
| 2017 | 1,427 | 138,844 | 38,504 | 115,141 | 2,258 | 62,203 |
| 2018 | 1,403 | 167,206 | 41,125 | 93,249 | 3,240 | 69,796 |
| 2019 | 1,400 | 181,770 | 41,314 | 77,857 | 4,398 | 76,708 |
| 2020 | 994 | 173,797 | 41,459 | 68,514 | 8,749 | 87,090 |
| 2021 | 948 | 164,421 | 40,270 | 74,825 | 15,712 | 95,403 |
| 2022 | 1,539 | 182,985 | 41,658 | 71,501 | 24,193 | 107,264 |
| 2023 | 1,454 | 187,397 | 36,956 | 56,878 | 30,122 | 98,653 |
Texas is the nation’s leading producer of wind-powered electricity...
...and we’re the nation’s second-largest solar power producer.
Annual Generation Dispatchable vs. Renewable Fuel Source, 2012-2023
View Dispatchable vs. Renewable Data
| Year | Dispatchable (GWh) | Renewable (GWh) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 293,190 | 31,080 |
| 2013 | 295,932 | 33,869 |
| 2014 | 301,533 | 37,310 |
| 2015 | 304,933 | 42,334 |
| 2016 | 296,690 | 55,697 |
| 2017 | 292,489 | 65,888 |
| 2018 | 301,580 | 74,439 |
| 2019 | 300,941 | 82,506 |
| 2020 | 283,770 | 96,833 |
| 2021 | 279,515 | 112,063 |
| 2022 | 296,144 | 132,997 |
| 2023 | 235,768 | 108,825 |
While renewable energy production will be a part of Texas’ economic future, our daily lives are more interconnected to the oil and gas industry than ever before.
Natural gas provides the majority of our energy with the reliability to fill in as renewables fluctuate.
Position of Power
As more facilities come online, Texas is making strides in diversifying its energy portfolio. More must be done, however, to ensure a steady future supply of electricity for Texas’ citizens and businesses.
Sources: ERCOT, U.S. Energy Information Administration, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
* Note: Numbers range from July 1, 2022, through July 1, 2023, with total daily population growth estimates utilizing the sum of total net migration to Texas and total natural change of population.