Power companies ask Texans to conserve amid freezing weather as ERCOT grid holds steady

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Power companies are sending out an urgent plea for customers to conserve as temperatures plunge further below freezing for the second night.

Both CenterPoint and Reliant Energy sent messages to their customers with conservation tips.

"Our natural gas system is operating well under these extreme circumstances. As everyone is trying to keep warm, we are experiencing record usage of natural gas and in order to prevent service interruptions, we ask our customers to conserve energy at this time," said Tal Centers, CenterPoint Energy's Vice President, Texas Gas.

Reliant advised customers to use towels to block drafts by windows and doors, and set their thermostats a couple of degrees lower.

Thousands of people in the Houston area experienced power outages during the first night of the arctic freeze, but the ERCOT grid appeared to be holding up.

Strong winds on Thursday helped boost the supply, which partially comes from wind power.

Temperatures in Houston reached below-freezing with single-digit wind chills.

Now, the focus turns to Friday evening, when temperatures are forecasted to remain below freezing and demand is expected to approach peak levels.

You can track ERCOT conditions here

CAN ERCOT GRID HOLD UP DURING BELOW FREEZING TEMPS:

Many Houstonians are traumatized from Texas' 2021 freeze and question the state's ability to supply enough energy ahead of this weekend, even though ERCOT insists they're prepared.

You can track CenterPoint outages here:

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