ERCOT Signs off on Holly Closure
Austin Energy has completed a final procedural step in preparing for the September closure of the Holly Power Plant.
In what is a required coordination in the planned retirement of any generating unit in Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a determination that Holly Power Plant Units 3 and 4 are not required for what is called “Reliability Must Run (RMR) Service.” The determination clears the way for the two units and therefore the remainder of the Holly plant to be retired on schedule September 30, 2007. Holly Units 1 and 2 were retired in October, 2004.
ERCOT rules and State law dictate that utilities must notify ERCOT of any plans to discontinue operating generation facilities. When generating units within ERCOT are targeted for retirement, ERCOT conducts studies and a rigorous assessment of whether the closure of those units could result in potential disruptions to the reliability of the statewide electric grid. ERCOT has the authority to supersede a utility’s plans and order that generating units be maintained in operating condition, by placing the units in Reliability Must Run Service.
In order to retire the remaining two units at Holly, Austin Energy was required to make a number of transmission and other system improvements to ensure adequate voltage support to the electric grid, support that has been provided over the years by the Holly plant itself. Throughout the spring, Austin Energy staff worked with ERCOT staff to ensure that all necessary steps had been taken by the Utility to secure ERCOT signoff on the planned closure.
Austin Energy has been meeting and will continue to meet with Holly neighborhood residents throughout the planning and decommissioning of the Holly site, which is anticipated to be a two-three year process.
For more information, contact Ed
Clark, Public Information.
Phone: (512) 322-6514
Pager: (512) 802-2000 |
