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ERCOT's Peak Electricity Demand Tops 70,000 Megawatts

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AUSTIN (AP) - Managers of the state's biggest electrical grid say peak electricity demand has topped 70,000 megawatts for the first time.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates that grid that covers most of the state, says demand peaked at 70,169 megawatts between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday. That shatters the previous record of 69,877 megawatts set on August 10 of last year.

One megawatt is about enough electricity to power about 200 homes during hot weather running air conditioners.

ERCOT officials say the grid has sufficient generation to meet the demand.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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