Arizona Public Service customers set all-time peak demand record
Customers of Arizona Public Service (APS) set a new all-time record of 7,350 megawatts for peak demand electricity use (MW) between 5 and 6 p.m. last week as temperatures in Arizona reached record highs.
The previous record of 7,236 MW was set in 2006. While last year’s peak of 7,051 MW occurred on Sunday, June 19, this year’s record-setting peak demand surpassed the company’s 2017 summer peak load forecast of 7,023 megawatts.
During last year’s peak demand, temperatures reached 118 degrees. During the week of this year’s peak demand record, temperatures ranged between 115 and 119 degrees.
“When temperatures spike, our customers use more power, and it’s our job to make sure we manage the demand placed on the system,” Daniel Froetscher, senior vice president of transmission, distribution and customers at APS, said.
Froetscher also recommended that customers drink plenty of water, know the warning signs of heat exhaustion and regularly checking on young children, the elderly and pets during times of intense heat such as the heat spell that hit the state last week.
“The best place to be is inside with air conditioning,” he said. “If you don’t have air conditioning at home, many public places such as libraries, shopping malls and movie theatres, are all air-conditioned. We want all of our customers to stay safe and healthy, especially during this time of year.”
