ERCOT Breaks Hourly Peak Electricity Demand Record
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) - For two consecutive hours Wednesday, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas' systemwide demand surpassed the previous record set Monday, August 8.
Peak demand reached 70,531 megawatts between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and then blew past that new record with 70,572 MW of demand between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. according to an ERCOT news release.
This tops Monday's record by 403 MW.
"We're pleased that the system continues to perform well as the need for air conditioning drives up demand," said Dan Woodfin, director of System Operations. "These hot summer days always put our grid to the test, and we have had sufficient generation available to carry us through these high-demand periods."
The current load forecast indicates the region may meet or exceed 70,000 MW in demand between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Thursday as well.
ERCOT says it works closely with its market participants to ensure there is enough generation and transmission resources available through peak demand hours.
"Based on current projections, we also don't expect any issues tomorrow," Woodfin said. "That will depend in part on whether generation, including wind, remains available at levels similar to what we saw today."
August is typically the hottest summer month in Texas, and demand usually increases during this time.
ERCOT says it manages the flow of electric power to nearly 24 million Texas customers, representing about 90 percent of the state's electric load.
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