Texas’ power grid weathered another winter storm. Is it ready for the future?The Texas TribuneMedia Coverage | Jan 29, 2026

Five years after Winter Storm Uri caused catastrophic blackouts that killed hundreds, the electric grid has changed significantly, but increasing demand means it will have to adapt even more.

By Paul Cobler and Camila Maia
January 29th, 2026

Others are more cautious about drawing conclusions about the grid’s health from this month’s storm. Virginia Palacios, executive director of Commission Shift, said the cold snap has been far less severe than Winter Storm Uri, making it difficult to assess whether post-2021 weatherization measures are truly working.

“We don’t really have good data on that,” Palacios said, referring specifically to the state’s natural gas infrastructure, which fuels many power plants. She said it’s difficult to evaluate those changes because Texas does not require public disclosure of which gas facilities have been weatherized or how they have performed in extreme weather.