A general view of electric lines as demand for power surges during a period of hot weather in Houston, Texas, U.S. June 27, 2023. REUTERS/Callaghan O’Hare/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 17 (Reuters) - The main grid operator in Texas said on Thursday it had engaged its emergency system after electricity reserves dropped below the critical 3,000 MW level due to increased power usage amid a heatwave. ERCOT said it also expected lower power reserves due to reduced wind generation. Real-time power prices rose above $5,000 in most of ERCOT Texas hubs, according to the ERCOT website. The grid operator had earlier urged consumers to conserve power between 3 p.m. CDT (2000 GMT) and 8 p.m. CDT on Thursday as demand surged.

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Persons: Callaghan, ERCOT, Ashitha Shivaprasad, Rahul Paswan, Harshit Verma, Swati Verma, Chris Reese, Paul Simao, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Texas, Discount, NRG Energy, Thomson Locations: Houston , Texas, U.S, Texas, Houston, ERCOT Texas, Bengaluru