A historic heat wave sweeping Texas pushed the state's power grid to new limits on Monday.
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Houston Chronicle
By Michael Murney
Updated
Texas' private power grid officially broke its all-time record for highest energy demand day on Tuesday afternoon, registering a system-wide demand level of 80,875 megawatts (MW) at 4:20 p.m.—well clear of its previously stated high watermark of 80,148.
At the time of the record-breaking surge, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) dashboard stated that the grid had 6,983 MW of operating reserve power available at the time—a sizable cushion compared to past instances of record energy draws.
Texas is expected to continue registering 100-degree days this week as a statewide heat wave lingers over American south.
Texas may have broken its all-time record for energy demand Monday evening as a historic heat wave continues to drive temperatures above 100 degrees across much of the Lone Star State.
According to data provided by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), total grid demand hit 80,144 megawatts around 5 p.m. Monday evening. ERCOT listed the Texas grid's all-time peak demand record at 80,038 MW in materials published October 2022. This month, it published a fact sheet listing 80,148 MW as the all-time record.
Monday's possible record-breaking demand comes as ERCOT braces for multiple days of record-setting energy demand this week. ERCOT has also issued a Weather Watch lasting through Friday, urging Texans to monitor grid conditions and make plans to reduce energy use during high demand periods in the afternoons and evenings. ERCOT provides a digital dashboard with real-time updates on grid conditions and changes in Texas' energy market with a wealth of information about the status of the grid. Check out Chron's guide to understanding the essential numbers and key terms the ERCOT dashboard has to offer.
The Houston area remains under a heat advisory Tuesday through Tuesday evening, with heat index values likely to exceed 108 degrees. Several nearby counties in the southeast Texas region remain under Excessive Heat Warnings Tuesday, with the National Weather Service forecasting heat indices above 113 degrees in those areas.
The oppressive heat isn't leaving anytime soon: the National Weather Service's Houston and Galveston Office forecasted 100 degree raw temperatures lasting at least through Saturday, with "afternoon heat index values in the 107-116 range," expected on Monday, per an NWS forecast published Monday.