Texas regulators warned that a batch of data centers and crypto mining facilities failed recent voltage‑tolerance tests.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas sampled power draws from about 30 sites over the past month. More than half did not stay within the 5‑percent voltage swing limit set for critical loads. The failures were recorded during peak‑summer demand, when the grid was already operating near capacity.
The findings matter because voltage excursions can trigger automatic shutdowns, forcing workloads onto backup generators or causing data loss. For a region already grappling with rolling blackouts, adding unpredictable loads could push the system into a stability crisis.
If operators cannot tighten power‑quality controls, the grid may see more forced outages, nudging customers to seek off‑grid solutions or relocate to states with more robust infrastructure.