VAN ALSTYNE, Texas (KXII) – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas recorded a new all-time power demand high of 91,089 megawatts on July 22, surpassing the previous record of 85,508 megawatts set in August 2023.
To put the figure in context, one megawatt can power 250 homes during peak hours.
What’s driving the surge
David McGinnis, CEO of Grayson-Collin Electric Co-op, said population growth and summer temperatures are the primary factors.
“Well, it’s summer and so with the almost 1,000 people moving to our state nearly daily, electric use goes up nearly every season because it’s triple degrees,” McGinnis said. “People are wanting to stay cool.”
How this compares to previous winter storm
Some Texomans have drawn comparisons to the 2021 winter storm that caused widespread grid failures. McGinnis said the two situations are not comparable.
“We’re used to summer heat in Texas. We’re not used to being cold,” McGinnis said. “The major difference where some downstream gas and power failures that cause some plant failures.”
Grayson-Collin Electric Co-op said ERCOT dispatches power from nearly 900 generators across the state, including local sources such as the Denison Dam in Texoma.
How residents can help
McGinnis said the co-op began preparing for this week’s heat several weeks in advance.
“We always worry. It’s just part of the business. But we think we prepare earlier. We don’t wait till it’s 100 to do the job — we prepared several weeks ago for this week’s weather,” McGinnis said.
Grayson-Collin Electric Co-op said residents can help reduce strain on the grid during peak hours, between 3 and 9 p.m., by taking the following steps:
Set thermostats to 78 degreesUse ceiling fans in occupied roomsShift laundry and electric vehicle charging to overnight hours
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