News Release

Continued High Electricity Demand Expected Tuesday

(Update added below)

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT), the electric grid operator for most of the state, again set a new electricity usage record today.  Consumers used an hourly average of 63,400* megawatts (MW) of power between 4 and 5 p.m., exceeding the previous record set last Wednesday of 62,786 MW by  667 MW.  Prior to last week, the all-time peak demand record was 62,339 MW set on Aug. 17, 2006. 

One megawatt typically powers about 200 average homes during hot summer weather. 

High electricity demand is expected to continue Tuesday.  ERCOT system operations does not anticipate any issues for tomorrow but will monitor the grid closely due to the expected high electricity usage. 

RESOURCES 

Consumer Hotline, Public Utility Commission

1-888-782-8477 

Conservation Tips

“Powerful Advice,” Public Utility Commission of Texas: www.puc.state.tx.us/agency/conserve/Constips.aspx

* Note:  Following initial settlement, the record was adjusted to 63,400 MW from the initial preliminary calculation of 63,453 MW.  The number is not final until completion of the market’s financial settlement process six months after the operating day. 

July 14, 2009, Update:  No record today

The peak demand for the ERCOT region today was 62,985 megawatts (MW) during the 4-5 pm hour, which was below the new all-time record set July 13, 2009.