UPDATE: 4:21pm CT
Texas’ residential power grid officially broke its all-time record for the busiest energy demand Tuesday afternoon, registering a system-wide demand of 80,875 megawatts (MW) as of 4:20 p.m. — well above the previously mentioned high of 80,148.
At the time of the record-breaking surge, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) dashboard indicated that the grid had an operating reserve of 6,983 MW at the time — a substantial cushion compared to previous record power withdrawals.
Texas is expected to continue seeing 100-degree days this week as a nationwide heatwave continues over the southern US.
—End of update—
Texas may have smashed its all-time energy demand record Monday night as a historic heatwave continues to drive temperatures topping 100 degrees across much of the Lone Star State.
Total grid demand reached 80,144 megawatts around 5 p.m. Monday night, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). In materials released in October 2022, ERCOT listed the Texas power grid’s peak demand record of 80,038 MW.
The potential record-breaking demand on Monday comes as ERCOT prepares for several days of record-breaking demand for energy this week. ERCOT has also issued a weather warning through Friday, urging Texans to monitor grid conditions and make plans to reduce energy use during periods of high afternoon and evening demand. ERCOT provides a digital dashboard with real-time updates on grid conditions and changes in the Texas energy market, as well as 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.
A heat warning remains in effect for the Houston area Tuesday through Tuesday evening, with heat index readings expected to exceed 108 degrees. Several nearby counties in Southeast Texas are still on an excessive heat warning Tuesday. The National Weather Service forecasts heat indexes of over 113 degrees for these areas.
The sweltering heat isn’t abating anytime soon: The Houston and Galveston Office of the National Weather Service forecast temperatures of at least 100 degrees that will persist through at least Saturday, with “afternoon heat index readings in the range of 107 to 116” expected for Monday, according to the NWS forecast on published Monday.