Tesla has filed an application with the Texas Public Utility Commission to sell electricity to customers.
The application, first reported by Texas Monthly, was submitted by a Tesla subsidiary called Tesla Energy Ventures.
Tesla also intends to build two massive batteries near Austin and Houston. The 100-megawatt storage system would enable Tesla to serve power companies. The company has built several examples of large-scale batteries around the world, including California and Australia.
In those instances, Tesla is assisting the power companies. Its new venture in Texas would sell power directly to consumers. The reliability of the grid in Texas has been of concern since freezing temperatures in February left millions of residents without power or water for days.
Tesla is currently building a factory near Austin. Chief Executive Elon Musk’s other company SpaceX also has operations in the state.
It’s not clear when Tesla plans to bring the service live.