Texas power grid sets June record, could see another Tuesday

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the operator of the electricity grid that serves most of Texas, said late Monday it set a record for June demand when electricity use from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. averaged 65,047 megawatts. The previous record for June was 63,102 megawatts, on June 17, 2011. ERCOT’s all-time peak demand record occurred on Aug. 3, 2011, at 68,379 megawatts. One megawatt is enough to power about 200 homes during peak demand periods.

Temperatures are forecast to be high this week, so tight conditions are expected to  continue between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., ERCOT said. The forecast for Tuesday, June 26, calls for electric use to exceed 66,000 megawatts, with the possibility of topping out at more than 67,000 megawatts. ERCOT asks that customers take measures to trim power use in those afternoon hours by raising thermostats two or three degrees and delaying the use of appliances like dishwashers, electric dryers and swimming pool pumps until later in the evening.

-- Jim Fuquay