US Government Grants Emergency Order for ERCOT to Tap Data Center Backup Power During Texas Winter Storm

US Government Grants Emergency Order for ERCOT to Tap Data Center Backup Power During Texas Winter Storm January 26, 2026 In a significant move to bolster grid reliability, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued an emergency order permitting Texas's grid operator to commandeer backup generators at major data centers to prevent widespread blackouts as a severe winter storm batters the state. The directive underscores the growing role and energy demands of digital infrastructure in regional power stability, turning private backup systems into a potential public resource during crises. The emergency order was authorized by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in response to a formal request from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Facing a forecasted spike in energy demand for heating amid plunging temperatures, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas warned of a "significant risk of emergency conditions" in a letter to the DOE. The order grants ERCOT the authority to direct certain large-scale data centers and industrial facilities to disconnect from the main statewide grid and switch to their on-site backup power systems, or shut down operations entirely, to free up electricity for residential consumers. ERCOT stated it would only exercise this authority after exhausting most of its other grid management tools to avert rotating outages. The federal order, which remains in effect through Tuesday, January 26, requires ERCOT to notify the DOE if any diesel-powered backup units are activated, acknowledging their high emissions and noise pollution. This measure highlights the trade-off between grid stability and environmental impact during emergency scenarios. The decision marks a notable shift in how critical infrastructure is managed during energy shortfalls. It signals to the data center industry, a massive and growing consumer of power, that its private resilience assets may be viewed as a contingency resource for the public grid. While aimed at preventing a repeat of past grid failures, the move also raises questions about operational liabilities, fuel supply logistics, and the long-term planning for integrating large energy users into grid emergency protocols. Source: datacenterdynamics