As the temperatures continue to rise in Texas, so does the demand for electricity. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reported a new record for May power consumption on Monday, marking the sixth time this month. With homes and businesses cranking up their air conditioners to beat the heat, demand soared to a preliminary 77,126 megawatts (MW), surpassing the previous record set earlier in the day.
Analysts predict that this summer will see all-time high electricity consumption in the state due to economic and population growth, as well as increased demand from data centers, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrency mining. The grid’s peak was recorded at 85,508 MW on Aug. 10, 2023.
Despite the increased demand, ERCOT assured that the system is operating normally with enough supply to meet expected demand throughout the week. However, the surge in demand has resulted in higher prices, with day-ahead power costs skyrocketing from $42.19 per MWh to $1,518 per MWh.
Temperatures in Houston, Texas, the state’s largest city, are expected to reach 93 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday and climb to 99 F on Memorial Day, well above the normal high of 88 F for this time of year. One megawatt of power can typically supply around 800 homes on a regular day but as few as 250 on scorching summer days in Texas.
