Generating Resiliency
CenterPoint Energy is providing critical backup generators to locations throughout Greater Houston
It’s a push that underscores the reliability of natural gas during disasters and fosters stronger community preparedness.
As part of its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, CenterPoint Energy has launched an ambitious Community Generator Donation Program, providing critical backup power to key facilities across the Greater Houston area.
At an unveiling event in Galveston County, CenterPoint announced the donation of two backup generators as the program’s first installation. This effort is the cornerstone of a broader plan to donate 21 backup generators to critical locations throughout the company’s 12-county service area.
The program’s goal is to help communities weather emergencies with fewer disruptions. Funded by a $5 million grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, the generators will fuel vital services at no cost to customers. Facilities receiving the generators will serve as hubs for essential services, such as:
- Medical care
- Cooling centers during extreme heat
- Food and water distribution
- Device charging stations
“These 21 generators are each capable of powering an entire large building,” said Jason Wells, president and CEO of CenterPoint Energy. “They will help ensure the communities we proudly serve are more resilient during major storms and other emergency events.”
The natural gas-powered generators will provide a reliable and sustainable source of backup energy during power outages caused by hurricanes, storms and other disasters. During the unveiling in Galveston County, one of the generator recipients was Bayside Community Center, which will act as a lifeline for residents during crises.
As communities face increasingly severe weather events, natural gas infrastructure continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring energy reliability. Natural gas systems are often more resilient than electricity during disasters, allowing facilities with natural gas-powered generators to remain operational when they are needed most. CenterPoint Energy’s program highlights the importance of leveraging existing natural gas infrastructure to support local resiliency efforts, ensuring critical services remain accessible even during extended outages.
Over the next eight months, CenterPoint will continue identifying and installing generators at additional locations, with a goal of completing all installations by June 1, 2025, ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.