Texans told not to use their ovens and washing machines amid warning over energy blackout as...

Energy officials in Texas are urging residents to cut back on their electric use over fears that demand will outpace supply due to soaring temperatures on Monday.

The request came from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the private entity controlling much of the state's power supply. ERCOT became the focus of intense criticism following the catastrophic failures of the state's power systems during Winter Storm Uri earlier in the year, leaving millions without power in sub-freezing temperatures.

The conservation request will last through to 18 June.

ABC8 reports that ERCOT will enact its emergency operations once demand has outpaced its electrical supply. The protocols are meant to protect the grid from suffering an uncontrolled outage.