For the first time since 2012, Salt River Project on Wednesday delivered a record amount of energy to its Phoenix-area retail customers. Between 4 and 5 p.m., SRP delivered an estimated retail peak demand of 6,707 megawatts.
That peak topped the previous SRP high this summer of 6,382 megawatts on July 22 and the all-time record of 6,663 megawatts on Aug. 8, 2012.
Strong customer demand is the result of several factors, including an increase in the number of SRP electric customers, extreme daytime temperatures, higher overnight temperatures and relatively high humidity. The high temperature recorded in Phoenix on Wednesday was 114 degrees, while the overnight low was 95 degrees.
Because the forecast calls for continuing high temperatures and increasing humidity, SRP power experts predict that records for high energy demand could continue this week.
SRP’s robust electrical grid was able to handle the record demand due in part to investments in new technology as well as a comprehensive maintenance plan to ensure optimal performance. The recently completed units at the Coolidge Generating Station as well as SRP’s wind and solar renewable-energy facilities helped meet the record customer demand, and SRP’s local generating units are all available to help ensure that SRP has enough energy to meet the needs of its customers this summer.
SRP is the largest provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving about 990,000 customers.
