Hot weather sets power-usage record in Texas
AUSTIN, TEXAS - Texas' hot summer weather is leading to record electricity use.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said it set a new record the afternoon of July 8 as consumers used an hourly average of 62,786 megawatts of power between 4 and 5 p.m. That broke the record of 62,339 megawatts set on August 17, 2006.
A megawatt is enough electricity to power about 200 average homes during hot summer weather.
ERCOT is the electric grid operator for much of the state.
Austin set a record July 8 with a high of 106 at Camp Mabry, breaking the record of 105 set in 1939. The high of 105 at Austin Bergstrom International Airport broke the record of 102 set in 1956.
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Most of Texas will face severe electricity shortages because of hot temperatures, air conditioning, and a strong economy, Bill Magness the president of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) told the Associated Press. Magness thinks the large numbers people moving to Texas for retirement will increase the demand for air conditioning and electricity use. Retired people are more likely to be home during the day when…
