On October 8, 2025, the Reliable Grid Project hosted a Texas media briefing on electricity prices and ERCOT grid successes in the state. Experts highlighted the following key takeaways:

The briefing featured Patricia Zavala, Executive Director of PowerHouse Texas; Matt Boms, Executive Director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance; and Doug Lewin, host of the Energy Capital Podcast. News coverage from Houston Public Media and WFAA echoed the briefing’s central message: renewable energy is improving reliability on the Texas grid and saving Texans money.

In her remarks, Zavala emphasized how rising electricity prices are impacting Texas consumers. She also demonstrated that while energy prices are rising nationwide, Texas has avoided the sharpest spikes thanks to its abundant renewable resources.

“The rising cost of energy is hitting Texas hard,” she said, “but renewables and batteries are playing a critical role in lowering costs.”

Zavala added that renewable energy growth supports low- and middle-income families while strengthening local economies.

“Low-income Texans spend around 12% of their income on electricity, compared to just 1% for wealthier households,” she explained. “This energy burden is disproportionate, and is another reason we need to lower costs.”

Lewin closed the discussion with a data-driven look at how renewables and storage will play a critical role in meeting booming demand projections on the ERCOT grid — and warned that attacks on renewables could have dire consequences for reliability, affordability, and the Texas economy.

“We’re in an environment where the federal government is, unfortunately, increasingly hostile toward renewables, which, along with storage, make up about 90% of what’s being added to the grid,” he said.

Looking ahead, Lewin projected that while the risk of winter outages is lower than in past years, isolated disruptions remain possible — and the state’s growing supply of batteries and solar powerThe conversion of sunlight into electricity using photovolta... will help the state quickly respond to issues. 

“Texas is better prepared for winter than before,” he noted. “With more flexible energy resources online, ERCOT is in a stronger position to manage extreme weather and keep power flowing.”

From affordability to reliability, the expert panel agreed that solar, wind powerA form of renewable energy that uses the kinetic energy of w..., and battery storage are transforming Texas’ energy landscape. 

As the state continues to expand its renewable resources and other advanced energy infrastructure, Texans will benefit from a grid that’s more resilient, reliable, and cost-effective. For a recording of the briefing, please contact [email protected].