Rotating Outages

Rotating outages are controlled, temporary interruptions of electric service typically lasting 30 to 60 minutes per area. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) requires rotating outages to balance the supply and demand for electricity and prevent a lengthy statewide blackout.

Critical need customers such as hospitals and nursing homes are generally not included in rotating outages.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 26 million Texas customers—representing 90 percent of the state's electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 46,500 miles of transmission lines and 680+ generation units.

ERCOT is responsible for balancing all customer demand and power generation. BPUB is a member of ERCOT and is subject to ERCOT requirements. Learn more about ERCOT.

ERCOT issues Energy Emergency Alerts to maintain the Texas electrical grid:

• EEA1 — Indicates that electrical conservation is needed
• EEA2 — Warns that the need for electrical conservation is critical and needed immediately
• EEA3 — Rotating outages are required to preserve the system's reliability

When EEA1 and EEA2 are insufficient to balance supply and demand, EEA3 rotating outages become necessary. Visit the ERCOT website to learn more about Energy Emergency Alerts.

During rotating outages, customers typically experience an electric outage for approximately 30 minutes to an hour. The rotating outages continue until available generation balances with electricity demand.

Multiple rotations may occur during extended grid emergencies.

No. When ERCOT requires rotating outages, they typically occur across the entire state of Texas. All ERCOT member utilities participate in load reduction to stabilize the grid.

Typically, there is little or no advance notice. Since these events result from emergencies and are never scheduled, there is only a small window of time for notifications.

BPUB provides as much information as possible as it becomes available through:

• Our website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Local news media

Customers should conserve energy and reduce usage to help lessen the severity of the electric supply shortage.

BPUB's Energy Control Center makes decisions on which customers will be impacted based on electricity demands within the system. The available circuits are divided roughly into thirds:

1. Critical care circuits (~1/3) — Serve hospitals, police stations, fire departments, and other critical facilities. BPUB makes every attempt not to turn off power to these customers.
2. Low-frequency feeders (~1/3) — Necessary to provide the state a final safety net should a quick drop of electricity be necessary.
3. Available for rotation (~1/3) — Typically residential neighborhoods and small businesses that participate in rotating outages.