By Gary McWilliams | Reuters
HOUSTON – The Texas grid operator on Friday canceled Griddy Energy LLC’s access to the state grid and transferred all of its customers to other utilities, according to a notice from the grid operator.
Griddy was the energy trader who sold energy to consumers at wholesale prices, which rose to $ 9,000 per megawatt-hour on days when cold weather hit the state last week. A request for comment was not immediately returned. A phone number listed on their website was not connected on Friday afternoon.
The Texas Electric Reliability Council (ERCOT) said it began transferring about 10,100 Griddy customers to one or more rival suppliers on Friday. Retail power providers who do not pay bills within 72 hours can have all of their customers reassigned to other electricity providers.
ERCOT faced a storm of criticism from residents and state officials this week after being caught ill-prepared for a severe cold. He asked utilities to cut power to protect the grid, leaving 4.3 million people without heat or light.
Seven of ERCOT’s 15 directors resigned this week and one nominee withdrew. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said public anger was justified and blamed ERCOT for failing to act faster to prevent generators from going offline.