Texas energy grid operators are forecasting record-breaking demand as this year's first major heat wave hits the state.
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Houston Chronicle
By Michael Murney
Texas regulators are predicting that energy demand will break the state power grid's all-time record multiple times in the next several days, as the first major heat wave of 2023 drives temperatures above 100 degrees across much of the state.
As of Tuesday at 9:10 a.m. CT, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) forecasted that demand will surpass the grid's previous all-time demand record of 80,038 megawatts at least three times in the next six days:
Texas is expected to shatter last year's record mark on Monday, June 19, with 82,785 megawatts of demand forecasted for 3 p.m. that day. Monday's predicted demand figure would pass ERCOT's anticipated peak demand for this summer less than three weeks into June.
Texas may also eclipse its previous demand record on Friday at 4 p.m., with 81,912 megawatts of energy demand expected; and again on Sunday, with 80,184 megawatts of demand expected, according to ERCOT.
Supply and demand forecasts can change as weather forecasts and grid conditions shift—check out Chron's guide to tracking grid conditions and forecasts in real time to stay updated.
The anticipated record demand comes after Texas broke its energy demand record 11 times during summer 2022, peaking on July 20 when the demand exceeded 80,000 megawatts for the first time in Texas history.
The multiple record-breaking demand forecasts come as several days of 100-plus degree highs and standard summer humidity threaten to push the heat index above 110 in Houston this week. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory Tuesday morning covering several counties west of Houston, warning that "areas within the heat advisory could have heat index values exceed 108F" starting Tuesday.