PRESS RELEASE
July 17, 2006
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ERCOT Sets New Peak Usage Record

Texans use 62,396 MW of power

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) region set a new electricity usage record of 62,396 megawatts (MW) of power today, over the peak hour from 4 to 5 p.m., exceeding the previous all-time peak of 60,274 MW, set on August 23, 2005. 

"High temperatures throughout a large part of the state caused increased electricity usage and created a record-breaking peak load,” said Kent Saathoff, ERCOT director of system operations.  “We expect high temperatures again tomorrow and could break the record again.  Barring unforeseen circumstance, we believe we will be able to handle the expected peak demand, but system operators will be closely monitoring the situation.”

PEAK HISTORY

1999:    54,849 MW

2000:    57,606 MW

2001:    55,201 MW

2002:    56,248 MW

2003:    60,095 MW

2004:    58,531 MW

2005:    60,274 MW

2006:    62,396 MW

The record number is based on initial calculations using data from throughout the transmission network.   The number will be adjusted based on official meter data collected in the market’s financial settlement process, which is completed six months after the operating day.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 21 million Texas customers – representing 85 percent of the state’s electric load and 75 percent of the Texas land area. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects 38,000 miles of transmission lines and more than 550 generation units. ERCOT also manages financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers customer switching for 6 million Texans in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. ERCOT's members include consumers, cooperatives, independent generators, independent power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities (transmission and distribution providers), and municipal-owned electric utilities.

Contact
Dottie Roark 512-225-7024