AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Managers of the state’s biggest electrical grid say this week’s head wave has led to an all-time record peak for electric power demand.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates that grid that covers most of the state, says demand peaked at 71,438 megawatts between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday. That tops the previous record set Aug 11, 2016, by 328 megawatts.
One megawatt is about enough electricity to power about 200 homes during hot weather running air conditioners.
An ERCOT statement says its managers “fully expect to keep hitting new demand records as summer 2018 continues,” and that the council and electricity providers “are working diligently to ensure they have the power they need to keep cool.”
