San Antonio TX, December 2, 2025
CPS Energy has finalized preparations for the 2025 winter season, ensuring a reliable energy supply for San Antonio. With an energy capacity of 11,444 MW, the utility is taking proactive measures, including enhancing grid reliability with 1,300 intelligent switches and implementing weatherization strategies. Additional initiatives include vegetation management to prevent outages and collaboration with gas suppliers to secure fuel stability. CPS Energy is also engaging the community to update emergency contact information and provide winter preparedness resources.
CPS Energy Readies San Antonio for 2025 Winter Challenges
San Antonio, TX – In a proactive move to ensure a reliable energy supply for the upcoming winter months, CPS Energy has completed essential preparations for the 2025 season. The utility has taken significant steps to boost its energy reserves, which now total 11,444 megawatts (MW), more than double the peak demand recorded in January 2024.
Strengthening Energy Reserves
With a total capacity of 11,444 MW, CPS Energy’s advancements ensure that the utility can adequately meet the energy demands of the San Antonio community even during the harshest winter conditions. This substantial increase is a critical measure given the record peak demand of 5,346 MW seen in January 2024.
Innovative Technology at Work
CPS Energy’s commitment to reliability is further evident in its investment in nearly 1,300 intelligent switches, known as reclosers. These devices are instrumental in enhancing early fault detection, which helps reduce outages and expedite service restoration for affected customers.
Weatherization Measures for Durability
To counteract the adverse effects of extreme winter weather, CPS Energy has implemented various weatherization strategies. These include infrastructure insulation, the installation of temporary enclosures, thermostats, temperature sensors, heating equipment, and heat tracing for piping systems, ensuring optimal performance in challenging conditions.
Proactive Vegetation Management
Understanding the impact of weather on infrastructure, CPS Energy is set to trim 1,000 miles of overhanging tree vegetation. This proactive vegetation management is crucial to preventing power outages caused by freezing rain and other winter weather phenomena.
Collaboration with Gas Suppliers
CPS Energy has also collaborated with natural gas suppliers to ensure that their weatherization strategies are in place. This collaboration guarantees a stable fuel supply crucial for power generation during the coming winter months.
Adhering to Regulatory Standards
To align with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) winter readiness initiatives, CPS Energy has completed all necessary preparations by the required deadline of December 1, 2025. A Declaration of Preparedness for winter weatherization has also been submitted to ERCOT, covering essential transmission systems and power plants.
Engaging the Community
CPS Energy encourages residents to play an active role in winter preparedness by updating their emergency contact information. Customers can sign up for emergency alerts and access a variety of winter preparation resources in both English and Spanish via CPS Energy’s official website. They can also find valuable winter energy-saving tips to help reduce consumption.
About CPS Energy
Since its establishment in 1860, CPS Energy has become the largest public power, natural gas, and electric company in the nation, serving over 970,000 electric and 390,000 natural gas customers in San Antonio and nearby counties. As a community-oriented utility, it focuses on job creation, economic development, and educational investment, all while providing competitively priced services that rank among the lowest in the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is CPS Energy’s total energy capacity for the 2025 winter season?
CPS Energy’s total energy capacity for the 2025 winter season is 11,444 megawatts (MW), more than doubling the capacity needed to meet the record energy demand of January 2024.
How has CPS Energy improved grid reliability for the winter season?
CPS Energy has invested in nearly 1,300 intelligent switches, known as reclosers, throughout its service area. These devices enhance early fault detection, limit the number of customers affected by outages, and expedite restoration times.
What weatherization measures has CPS Energy implemented?
CPS Energy has implemented various weatherization measures, including infrastructure insulation, temporary enclosures, thermostats, temperature sensors, heating equipment, and heat tracing for piping systems. These enhancements are designed to improve plant performance during extreme winter conditions, in compliance with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) requirements.
How is CPS Energy managing vegetation to prevent power outages?
To prevent power outages caused by freezing rains, CPS Energy is on track to trim 1,000 miles of tree vegetation that encroaches on its infrastructure. This proactive approach aims to minimize weather-related disruptions during the winter season.
How can customers stay informed about CPS Energy’s winter preparedness efforts?
Customers can stay informed by visiting CPS Energy’s winter preparation pages in both English and Spanish. They can also sign up for emergency alerts and access winter energy savings tips. Additionally, customers are encouraged to update their emergency contact information by calling 210-353-2222.
Key Features of CPS Energy’s Winter Preparedness
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Energy Capacity | 11,444 MW, more than doubling the capacity needed to meet the record energy demand of January 2024. |
| Grid Reliability Enhancements | Investment in nearly 1,300 intelligent switches (reclosers) to improve early fault detection and reduce outage times. |
| Infrastructure Weatherization | Implementation of insulation, temporary enclosures, thermostats, temperature sensors, heating equipment, and heat tracing for piping systems to enhance plant performance during extreme winter conditions. |
| Vegetation Management | Trimming of 1,000 miles of tree vegetation encroaching on infrastructure to prevent power outages caused by freezing rains. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Submission of the required Declaration of Preparedness for winter weatherization to ERCOT for transmission systems and power plants. |
| Customer Engagement | Encouragement for customers to update emergency contact information, sign up for emergency alerts, and access winter energy savings tips through CPS Energy’s website. |
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