Griddy loses access to Texas power grid, all of his customers

By Gary McWilliams | Reuters

HOUSTON – The Texas power grid operator on Friday canceled Griddy Energy LLC’s access to the state’s power grid and shifted all of its customers to other utilities, according to a notice from the grid operator.

Griddy was the electricity distributor that sold electricity to consumers at wholesale rates, which rose to $ 9,000 per megawatt hour for days as cold weather hit the state last week. A request for comment was not immediately returned. A phone number listed on its website was not connected Friday afternoon.

The Texas Electric Reliability Council (ERCOT) said it began transferring about 10,100 customers from Griddy to one or more competing suppliers on Friday. Retail electricity providers who do not pay their bills within 72 hours can have all of their customers reallocated to other electricity providers.

ERCOT faced a storm of criticism from residents and state officials this week after being caught bracing for severe cold. He called on utilities to cut electricity to protect the grid, leaving 4.3 million people without heat or light.

Seven of ERCOT’s 15 directors resigned this week and one candidate stepped down. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the public anger was justified and accused ERCOT of failing to act faster to prevent the generators from going offline.