Xcel Energy’s Upper Midwest system set a record high electricity demand on Wednesday, July 20, of approximately 9,533 megawatts, exceeding the previous record of 9,504 megawatts, which was set on Monday, July 18. Prior to this week’s heat wave, the system peak was 9,131 megawatts set Aug. 9, 2010.
While Xcel Energy is in eight states, our Upper Midwest system serves customers in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. In Wisconsin, we provide electricity to approximately 248,000 customers.
Peak loads are measurements of the average total electric demand by customers for a one-hour period. One megawatt of electricity is enough to power between 800 and 1,000 homes. Our system is holding up well and has adequate capacity to meet peak demands.
Customers can visit our website (http://www.xcelenergy.com) for tips on how to save energy while staying cool on hot/humid days.
