No problems anticipated barring unexpected loss of generation.

AUSTIN, Aug. 13, 2007 – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT), the electric grid operator for most of the state, forecasts there could be a record-breaking demand for electricity today. 

“With the high temperatures across the state, electricity usage may reach record levels today,” said Bob Kahn, ERCOT CEO.  “We don’t anticipate any problems, barring an unexpected loss of significant amounts of generation.” 

The current peak demand record for the ERCOT region is 62,339 megawatts (MW), which occurred August 17, 2006.  Today’s peak demand is forecast to be over 63,800 MW during the 4 to 5 p.m. hour, although this number can change significantly during the day, depending on weather and demand response programs (customers who receive special rates or payments from their provider to reduce electricity during peak hours). 

ERCOT REGION PEAK DEMAND RECORDS BY YEAR

1990:    41,844 MW on Aug 27

1991:    39,608 MW on July 15

1992:    40,414 MW on July 1

1993:    43,766 MW on Aug 19

1994:    43,588 MW on Aug 18

1995:    46,668 MW on July 28

1996:    47,683 MW on Aug 5

1997:    50,150 MW on Aug 20

1998:    53,689 MW on Aug 3

1999:    54,849 MW on Aug 26

2000:    57,606 MW on Aug 31

2001:    54,862 MW on Aug 15

2002:    56,248 MW on Aug 26

2003:    60,095 MW on Aug 7

2004:    58,531 MW on Aug 3

2005:    60,274 MW on Aug 23

2006:    62,339 MW on Aug 17  

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