Texas has approved the closure of two more major coal-powered energy plants, reports The Houston Chronicle.
The news will mean the layoffs of over 800 workers. Texas’s electric grid operator has determined that the closures will not adversely affect the state’s grid reliability.
The plant shutdowns, which were announced by Dallas-based Vistra Energy earlier this month, will mean the loss of more than 4,000 megawatts of energy to the state grid. However, the state power grid is expected to have plenty of electricity next year without the coal plants. Plentiful wind and solar energy in the state will make up the difference.
One issue, though: wind and solar energy can be intermittent and unpredictable, largely due to issues with energy storage. The coal plants are expected to close in mid-February.