AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Extreme heat has caused the state’s biggest electrical grid to shatter its all-time record peak for electric power demand twice in one day.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates that grid that covers most of the state, says demand peaked at 73,259 megawatts between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday, breaking the previous hour’s record of 72,691 megawatts. The previous record of 71,438 megawatts was only one day old, having been set between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday.
One megawatt is about enough electricity to power about 200 homes during hot weather running air conditioners.
An ERCOT statement says operators, generators, transmission providers and retailers in its zone are “doing what they can to keep the power on for consumers.”
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On the Net:
Electric Reliability Council of Texas: http://www.ercot.com.