CenterPoint Storm Update: 99.9 percent of customers have power as historic Winter Storm Enzo continues to impact Greater Houston area

Rhea-AI Summary

CenterPoint Energy (CNP) reported that 99.9% of its Greater Houston area customers maintain power service despite the ongoing Winter Storm Enzo. The company has restored power to approximately 18,700 customers since the storm began, with only 2,800 customers currently experiencing outages. Around 3,000 personnel, including 1,200 mutual aid workers, are actively responding to scattered outages across the 12-county service area.

The company has deployed four temporary generation units to local warming centers and maintains its Emergency Operations Center activation. CenterPoint is coordinating with state and local emergency partners while serving its 2.8 million customers. The National Weather Service's Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through 6 p.m. today, with an Extreme Cold Watch following until Wednesday morning.

Positive

• 99.9% of customers maintain power service during severe weather conditions
• Rapid restoration of power to 18,700 customers since storm began
• Strong emergency response with 3,000 personnel deployed
• Deployment of temporary generation units to support warming centers

Negative

• 2,800 customers currently without power
• Ongoing exposure to extreme weather conditions potentially affecting infrastructure

Insights

Utility Infrastructure Expert

CenterPoint Energy's winter storm response showcases exemplary utility crisis management, with critical implications for investors and stakeholders. The 99.9% service reliability during extreme conditions demonstrates the effectiveness of infrastructure investments and operational improvements implemented since the devastating 2021 Texas freeze.

The rapid restoration metrics are particularly impressive - servicing 18,700 customers while maintaining only 2,800 current outages across a 2.8 million customer base represents a 0.1% outage rate. This performance typically translates to favorable regulatory treatment during rate cases and stronger stakeholder relationships.

From an infrastructure perspective, the deployment of temporary generation units to warming centers represents an innovative approach to maintaining critical services. The mobilization of 3,000 workers, including 1,200 mutual aid personnel, indicates strong industry relationships and efficient resource allocation capabilities.

The coordination with ERCOT and implementation of advanced customer communication systems (Power Alert Service® and bilingual Outage Tracker) reflect modern utility best practices. These investments in grid resilience and customer service technology typically yield long-term benefits through improved regulatory relationships and reduced storm recovery costs.

For investors, this operational performance suggests well-managed maintenance capital expenditure and effective storm hardening investments. Such infrastructure resilience typically reduces regulatory risk and supports stable returns, particularly important for utility stocks valued primarily for their dividend stability and regulatory certainty.

As of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, CenterPoint had restored approximately 18,700 customers since the winter storm impacts began; 2,800 customers currently out of power

3,000 CenterPoint personnel and mutual assistance workers are responding to scattered outages across the Greater Houston area

Company urges customers and the public to continue following warnings to stay off roads, ensure their own safety and help prevent power outages

HOUSTON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As of 11 a.m., CenterPoint Energy announced that more than 99.9 percent of its Greater Houston area customers are receiving normal electric service even as Winter Storm Enzo continues to bring significant precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures to the region. As part of its storm mobilization efforts, approximately 3,000 CenterPoint frontline workers, contractors, and mutual aid personnel continue to respond to scattered outages across the 12-county area and have restored power to approximately 18,700 customers since 12:01 a.m. 2,800 customers currently remain out of power.

To help coordinate its overall restoration and response efforts, CenterPoint's Emergency Operations Center remains activated, and the company continues to restore power safely and as quickly as possible. The company continues working with state and local emergency partners to address local issues and remains focused on sharing critical updates and safety information with its 2.8 million customers.

"CenterPoint marshalled thousands of critical resources to prepare for this historic winter weather event that's still impacting the Greater Houston area. While it is very positive that outages remain low at this time, our teams are responding quickly to scattered outages as they occur. We'd like to thank our customers for following the calls from local officials to stay off the roads, giving our frontline professionals the space to operate safely and efficiently and reducing the likelihood of cars hitting power poles. We understand that these conditions are difficult, and for as long as Enzo continues to impact our customers, our CenterPoint team remains fully focused and ready to respond to further impacts of this storm and the sub-freezing temperatures that are expected to continue through Wednesday," said Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President of CenterPoint's Electric Business.

CenterPoint Preparation and Response to Winter Storm Enzo
As of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, CenterPoint's preparation and response actions include:

• Deploying frontline electric workers: Approximately 3,000 workers, including 1,200 mutual aid personnel, are responding to the winter storm, addressing equipment damage and restoring power to customers.
  
  
• Using partnerships to provide temporary generation to temporary warming centers: Deploying four small temporary generation units to provide power to local warming centers amid freezing temperatures.
  
  
• Keeping customers informed: Sharing safety and preparedness information and resources with CenterPoint customers through direct outreach, social media and other platforms.
  
  
• Conducting outreach to critical care customers: Reaching out to identified Critical Care Residential and Chronic Condition Residential electric customers by email, phone and/or text.
  
  
• Coordinating with government officials: Providing regular updates to government officials on preparation and response activities and to coordinate on customer support.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for Southeast Texas that remains in effect through 6 p.m. today, as well as an Extreme Cold Watch from 6 p.m. this evening to Wednesday at 9 a.m. An Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Weather Watch is also in effect through Wednesday due to the extreme cold weather across the ERCOT region, higher electrical demands and the potential for lower reserves. At this time, according to ERCOT, grid conditions are expected to be normal, but CenterPoint teams remain ready to respond if that should change.

Important information for electric customers
CenterPoint electric customers are encouraged to enroll in the company's Power Alert Service® to receive outage details, estimated restoration times and customer-specific restoration updates via phone call, text or email. Customers can also stay up to date with CenterPoint's new and improved, cloud-based Outage Tracker, available in English and Spanish, which allows customers to see outages by county, city and zip code. 

In addition, customers can get the latest information on CenterPoint's preparedness and response efforts, view important safety tips and access the company's 2025 Winter Energy Guide by visiting CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter. Customers can also follow @CenterPoint_TX to receive the most up-to-date information on the company's operations in the Greater Houston area and across Texas. 

For the latest weather information for the Greater Houston area, see updates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Houston/Galveston at weather.gov/hgx.  

For more information, contact
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com

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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy

FAQ

How many customers has CenterPoint Energy (CNP) restored power to during Winter Storm Enzo?

CenterPoint Energy has restored power to approximately 18,700 customers since the winter storm began, with only 2,800 customers remaining without power as of 11 a.m. on January 21, 2025.

How many workers has CNP deployed for Winter Storm Enzo response?

CenterPoint has deployed approximately 3,000 workers, including 1,200 mutual aid personnel, to respond to the winter storm and address power outages.

What percentage of CNP customers maintain power during Winter Storm Enzo?

99.9% of CenterPoint Energy's Greater Houston area customers are receiving normal electric service during Winter Storm Enzo.

How long is the Winter Storm Warning in effect for CNP's service area?

The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through 6 p.m. on January 21, 2025, followed by an Extreme Cold Watch until 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

What emergency measures has CNP implemented for Winter Storm Enzo?

CNP has activated its Emergency Operations Center, deployed 3,000 workers, provided temporary generation to warming centers, and maintains coordination with state and local emergency partners.