Texas Grid Faces Biggest Test of Summer With Extreme Heat
- Electricity use set to hit record high, most since last summer
- Potential high demand pushes prices to most in two weeks
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Texas is facing its biggest test of the summer this week to keep the power on — and air conditioners running — as temperatures hit triple digits and push electricity consumption to all-time highs.
Power use on the state grid may reach 86 gigawatts by 5 p.m. Monday and then test that level again Tuesday, according to the state’s grid operator. The record of 85.5 gigawatts was set a year ago in August. Parts of Texas face dangerous heat on Monday with an afternoon high at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport forecast to hit 110F (43C). One gigawatt can power about 200,000 homes in Texas.