Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Saturday defended its $8 billion proposal to build natural gas plants in Texas to help reduce the threat of devastating blackouts, such as those experienced in February.
"When you look at the power sector (in Texas), it fundamentally let the citizens down," Greg Abel, a Berkshire vice chairperson and previously chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, said at the conglomerate's annual shareholder meeting.
"We've gone to Texas with what we believe is a good solution," he added. "The health and welfare of Texas was at risk, and we needed to effectively have an insurance policy in place for them."
Berkshire in March proposed building 10 natural gas-powered plants that would supplement the capacity of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which provides electricity to most of the state, and provide backup power in emergencies.
However, the proposal reportedly contemplates guaranteed payments to Berkshire, upsetting the deregulated pricing model for Texas' power market.
The Dallas Morning News said Berkshire is proposing a guaranteed 9.3% rate of return. Berkshire has declined to comment.
The investment firm Starwood Energy Group last month proposed its own competing $8 billion plan to build 11 natural gas plants in Texas.
Texas suffered widespread power outages February because of a fierce winter storm and plunging temperatures.
Electricity prices soared, with some ordinary customers receiving exponentially larger monthly bills, and about 4.5 million Texans were left without power for several days.
Berkshire chairperson Warren Buffett added that Texas "is a terrific place to do business."
Abel downplayed a reported proposal by Elon Musk, who runs electric carmaker Tesla Inc. (TSLA.O), to build a giant battery that could plug into Texas' power grid and power thousands of homes during hot summers.
He said Berkshire's plan could help stricken homes and businesses for several days, not merely hours like a battery.
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