What Makes the Oncor Grid so Innovative?
Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, which is indirectly majority-owned by Sempra Energy, operates an innovative and advanced electricity transmission and distribution network. What makes the Oncor grid stand out?
Growing Transmission System
Oncor serves more than 3.7 million Texas homes and businesses across more than 400 communities and 98 counties, and operates more than 139,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines across its service territory. And over the last several years, Oncor has invested billions in state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced technologies to create a safer, smarter, more reliable power grid.
In partnership with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), Oncor regularly works to forecast growing demand, assess the need for additional infrastructure, and develop transmission lines to help support residential and business growth, all while energizing Texas.
With the help of communities and local government organizations, Oncor tracks the most critical places in need of expanded transmission capacity. One example is the Midland-Odessa and West Texas region. In recent years, this region has seen great population and business growth, and Oncor has been working to help the surrounding area support this influx.
Enabling a Vast Renewable Energy Network
Texas leads the nation in wind production. In 2019, Texas accounted for approximately 28% of all U.S. wind-powered electricity. Texas’ successful transition to cleaner energy was facilitated by the Texas Legislature’s Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) plan, an effort to connect electricity generated by wind and other renewables in West Texas to population centers in the central and eastern part of the state.
Oncor built, and continues to operate, more than 1,000 miles of these transmission lines — more than a third of the total project — and has consistently supported generators who are investing in bringing cleaner energy sources to ERCOT customers since this initial effort. Today, Oncor connects more than 60 renewable generators to the ERCOT grid, capable of generating more than 11,000 MW of electricity. Of this, approximately 10,000 MW is from wind interconnections, representing more than 42 percent of all ERCOT wind generation.
Oncor also strives to promote energy efficiency and assists both residential and business consumers in managing their energy consumption. The company offers a number of incentive programs, tips and techniques to help customers bring energy savings to their homes and businesses and make environmentally-friendly energy decisions.
Putting Our Energy Behind Texas
Oncor does more than keep the lights on; they partner with the people of Texas — working with fellow employees, communities, businesses and non-profit organizations to nurture the quality of life and economic well-being that makes Texas an incredible place to live and work. From economic development partnerships, progressive supplier diversity initiatives, philanthropic community giving and electric safety education for Texas students, Oncor is committed to maintaining its tradition of serving the Lone Star State for generations to come. And as energy becomes increasingly important to power our lives, Sempra Energy and Oncor are working to support Texas homes and businesses as they enter a new era of development for the state.
