ERCOT system exceeds 70,000 MW in hourly peak demand for first time

Austin, TX, Aug. 8, 2016 — ERCOT today set a new systemwide peak demand of 70,169 megawatts (MW)*. The new record occurred just two days shy of the one-year anniversary of ERCOT’s previous 69,877 MW record, set Aug. 10, 2015.

Peak demand actually surpassed 70,000 MW for the first time between 3 and 4 p.m. today and topped out at 70,169 between 4 and 5 p.m. One MW is enough generation to serve about 200 homes during peak demand.

“The system has performed well so far through this early August heat wave,” said Dan Woodfin, director of System Operations. “We had sufficient generation available today, including more than 5,000 MW of wind generation over peak, and we hope to see those conditions continue during the week ahead.”

With regional temperatures expected to hover in the triple digits for much of the week, ERCOT’s load is projected to peak above 70,000 MW again Tuesday (Aug. 9) and Thursday (Aug. 11) between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m.

This new systemwide record comes on the heels of an all-time weekend peak demand record of 67,000 MW*, set Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. August is usually the hottest summer month, and demand typically increases during this time.

Previous All-Time Peak Records

70,169 MW* – Aug. 8, 2016

70,009 MW* – Aug. 8, 2016

69,877 MW – Aug. 10, 2015

68,912 MW – Aug. 6, 2015

68,459 MW – Aug. 5, 2015

68,305 MW – Aug. 3, 2011

*These numbers are preliminary and, in some cases, may include exports. Final demand records are subject to change, pending final settlement in the ERCOT market.