AUSTIN (July 8, 2009)—The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said a record was set Wednesday for electric use as temperatures soared to record highs around the state.

ERCOT, the official grid operator for the state, said consumers used an hourly average of 62,786 megawatts of power between 4 and 5 p.m., which broke the record of 62,339 megawatts set on Aug. 17, 2006.

A megawatt is enough electricity to power about 200 average homes during hot summer weather.

Ercot issued a Power Watch Wednesday and encouraged consumers to reduce electricity use during peak hours from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. because of the heat and the anticipated demand for power.

ERCOT officials said they expect continued high electricity demand Thursday.

Austin set a record Wednesday with a high of 106 at Camp Mabry, breaking the record of 105 set in 1939.

The high of 105 at Austin Bergstrom International Airport broke the record of 102 set in
1956.