A MESSAGE FROM YOUR GENERAL MANAGER/CEO

GARY RAYBON

Working Together To Lower Demand

We’ve all heard the phrase above countless times. The words may sound generic, but to us—your local electric cooperative—they mean everything. When outdoor temperatures drop, electricity use naturally rises. Colder weather drives us indoors, where we rely more heavily on heating systems, more lighting, and household appliances. And heating systems run longer and more frequently to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.

Combine that with the fact that most people use electricity at the same times—typically early mornings and evenings—and the result is significant pressure on our electric grid. Wharton County Electric Cooperative works closely with our generation and transmission provider to plan for these seasonal weather patterns and changes and ensure you have reliable power every day of the year. This partnership involves detailed resource and infrastructure planning to make sure electricity is available whenever you need it.

However, it’s important to remember that our local system is part of a much larger regional and state grid.

During the winter months, when homes and businesses across the state use more electricity simultaneously, overall demand can approach—or even exceed—supply.

This is especially true during severe weather events, such as ice storms, sudden temperature drops, or equipment malfunctions that reduce generation capacity. In rare cases when demand threatens to outpace supply, ERCOT, our regional grid operator. may call for temporary, controlled outages to prevent broader system failures. If such a situation arises, WCEC will provide information to members as soon as possible.

To prepare for these scenarios and minimize risks, WCEC and our generation partner take proactive measures to strengthen reliability year-round. These include routine system maintenance, investments in grid modernization, and comprehensive disaster response planning.

These proactive steps are designed to ensure our portion of the grid remains resilient even under extreme conditions. Still, maintaining a reliable electric system requires a collective effort, and every Texan plays an important role in lowering demand when the grid is under stress.

You can help by taking the following simple actions during periods of high electricity use, especially on the coldest days of winter and especially if ERCOT issues conservation notices.

• Set thermostat 2-3 degrees lower during peak hours.
• Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and electronics.
• Avoid using large appliances (i.e., ovens, washers, dryers, water heater, etc.) during peak hours.
• Set pool pumps to run early morning or overnight; shut off during peak hours.

Understanding how winter weather impacts electricity demand is key to maintaining system reliability. By practicing simple energy conservation habits at home, you not only save money on your monthly bill but also help strengthen the resilience of the grid that powers our community.

Together, through small actions and shared awareness, we can ensure that our homes remain warm, our lights stay on, and our local grid continues to serve us reliably throughout the season.