Texas Sets Another Record For Electricity Use
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) – For the third time this week, electrical use has broken another Texas record by exceeding 71,000 megawatts in systemwide hourly peak demand.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas' demand reached 71,043 megawatts between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Thursday and then topped out at 71,197 megawatts between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. This exceeds Wednesday's peak record by 625 megawatts.
This is the sixth time this week that ERCOT has reached record levels of energy demand. ERCOT exceeded 70,000 megawatts for two consecutive hours on Monday, Aug. 8 and then surpassed those levels Wednesday, Aug. 10 during two consecutive hours.
"Our grid operators have done an excellent job managing the high demand we've seen this week, while also maintaining system reliability," said Dan Woodfin, director of System Operations. "We appreciate the work generation and transmission owners have put into getting their facilities prepared for these record power demands."
Beginning Friday and into next week, the current forecast anticipates less power consumption.
As long as resources remain available when needed, ERCOT believes there will be sufficient generation, according to an ERCOT news release.
The grid operator will continue to monitor system conditions and will notify the public if there is a need for conservation.
August is typically the hottest summer month in Texas, and demand usually increases during this time.
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