USA: Texas cold wave 2021

Keeping the Texas grid disconnected from the rest of the country means it won’t fall under federal regulations. But it also means Texas can’t borrow power from other states when its power infrastructure fails, as it did in February 2021.

Severe weather is a primary driver of power outages. Weather-related outages alone have cost the country between $18 and $32 billion a year on average since 2003.

The intense floods caused a disruption to state electricity company PLN's coal supply chain, which left around 12 GW of PLN's coal fleet with less than 10 days of supply.

Record-breaking deep freeze engulfed much of Texas.

In 2011, freezing weather resulted in power outages and slick roads across Texas. In 2015, Winter Storm Goliath brought frigid cold and over 8 inches of snow in some areas to Western Texas.

Bungled response will have consequence for finances, health and homes – and less privileged Texans will feel the pinch.

With increasing wildfires, drought, flooding, and sea-level rise, we must make sure our water systems can continue to operate during such events.

Australia’s electricity market is unsustainable. Texas shows us why.

The US state of Texas has this month experienced some of its coldest weather on record. Houston recorded a temperature of -10.6℃, which is around 20℃ below average.

In February, extreme weather events highlighted the fragility of the Texas electrical grid. A deep freeze left millions without power, and dozens of people died.