Editorial: With AI demand surging, Texas can’t stand in the way of renewables

The article discusses the growing demand for energy in Texas due to population growth and the influx of large users like crypto mines and data centers used for AI. It notes that Texas is already the nation's top wind power producer and is poised to expand solar energy and industrial battery storage this year. However, the state must remain open to renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and battery storage to meet this increasing demand and keep the power grid reliable. According to the article, the U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that Texas will receive about 40% of new solar capacity and 53% of new battery storage capacity added nationwide this year. And data from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas shows that about 87% of the electric capacity planned to connect to the grid in the next six years are solar, wind or battery plants, with only about 13% being new gas plants. The article argues that while Texas will continue to need dispatchable power sources like natural gas, blocking other sources of energy would be a mistake. It notes that the state recently passed a law allowing the grid operator ERCOT to require data centers and other large consumers to disconnect from the grid and use their own backup power during emergencies, which was a smart move to ensure electricity availability. Overall, the article emphasizes the need for Texas to embrace both renewable and traditional energy sources to meet the rising demand for power, especially as the state grapples with the energy demands of AI and data centers.