07/13/2026
A Final Update and Thank You
Yesterday's outage was caused by a lightning strike that damaged a power transformer at the West Sinton distribution substation. Approximately 1,600 members were affected.
Through the coordinated efforts of South Texas Electric Cooperative (STEC) and San Patricio Electric Cooperative (SPEC), approximately 50% of affected members had service restored before the mobile substation was energized. Once the mobile substation was placed into service, approximately 90% of affected members had power restored. The remaining members were restored around 12:45 a.m. after crews located and repaired additional damage on the distribution system, including downed power lines.
Understanding How Your Electric System Works
Many members may not realize there are two parts to the electric system.
STEC, our wholesale power provider, owns and operates the transmission system-the high-voltage transmission lines and substations that move electricity across South Texas and deliver it to local distribution systems.
SPEC, your local distribution cooperative, receives that power at our distribution substations and delivers it through our distribution lines, transformers, and service lines to the homes, farms, schools, and businesses we serve.
Think of it like our highway system. The transmission system is similar to the interstate highways that move large volumes of traffic across the state. SPEC's distribution system is like the network of local roads that delivers electricity to neighborhoods, homes, farms, and businesses. Yesterday, the "interstate" experienced a major disruption, and our crews worked with STEC to reroute electricity over alternate "roads" wherever the electric system safely allowed.
Why This Outage Was Different
While no outage is convenient, this was not a typical outage.
Most outages involve damage to distribution lines, poles, or equipment that can often be repaired or isolated relatively quickly. In this case, lightning damaged a substation power transformer-one of the most critical pieces of equipment in the electric system.
Failures involving substation power transformers are uncommon and require specialized equipment, extensive coordination, and careful planning to restore service safely. This event required STEC to transport, install, test, and energize a mobile substation before permanent repairs could begin.
What Is Backfeeding?
Because the damaged transformer could no longer supply power to the distribution feeders served by the West Sinton substation, SPEC crews immediately began working alongside STEC to reconfigure the distribution system and backfeed as many circuits as possible from neighboring substations.
Backfeeding is similar to rerouting traffic around a closed section of interstate using alternate highways and local roads. When the electric system allows, electricity can be supplied from another substation by opening and closing switches to create a safe alternate path.
Not every circuit can be backfed. Electrical systems are carefully designed with equipment ratings, loading limits, and protective devices that determine which circuits can safely receive power from another source. That is why some members were restored sooner than others.
What's Next?
The mobile substation currently serving the area is a temporary solution that allows reliable electric service to continue while permanent repairs are completed.
STEC will now begin the process of procuring, installing, testing, and commissioning a replacement power transformer. These transformers are highly specialized pieces of equipment that can weigh nearly 100 tons, cost several million dollars, and are among the most critical components of the electric grid.
Fortunately, failures of this nature are very rare. While thunderstorms can occasionally cause localized outages, damage to a substation power transformer requiring a mobile substation is an uncommon event.
Thank You
Throughout this event, we worked to provide timely updates as information became available. As with every major outage, we will review both our restoration efforts and our communications to identify opportunities to improve how we serve our members during future events.
We understand that being without electricity-especially during the summer heat-is frustrating, and we sincerely appreciate your patience while our employees and STEC worked through this unusual event safely and as quickly as possible.
We also want to thank the many members who shared words of encouragement, understanding, and support for our employees and crews. Those messages meant a great deal to everyone involved.
As a member-owned cooperative, we appreciate the trust you place in us and remain committed to providing safe, reliable electric service to the communities we proudly serve.
Thank you for allowing us the privilege of serving you.
