ERCOT Calls for Electricity Conservation Wednesday

Usage record set July 31

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is calling for conservation with a forecast high of 107 in North Texas.

The call comes a day after a new record was set for peak usage in the month of July with 65,790 megawatts. The previous record for July was 65,432 MW, which occurred July 27, 2011, during the hottest summer on record, ERCOT said.  

The all-time record peak was 68,419 MW set on Aug. 3, 2011.

On Wednesday, total usage between 11 a.m. and noon was 54,703 MW, 300 MW higher than the day before during the same time period.  If that trend continues, a new record may be set Wednesday as well.

ERCOT said there is sufficient generation to serve today's electricity needs, but that with temperatures surpassing 100 degrees in many Texas cities, conservation is requested between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

A single megawatt can power about 200 Texas homes on days with excessive heat -- or 500 homes on more mild days.
 

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