AUSTIN (August 24, 2010)--Temperatures as high as 110 degrees caused the fourth peak electricity demand record in four weeks on the state's biggest electrical grid, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates the grid that covers most of the state.

An ERCOT statement said peak demand reached a record of 65,715 megawatts between 4 and 5 p.m. Monday, breaking the record of 64,805 megawatts set Aug. 16.

Before this month, the peak demand record was 63,400 megawatts on July 13, 2009.

One megawatt is about enough electricity to power about 200 homes during hot weather running air conditioners.

ERCOT officials say system operators and the generator and transmission operators within the system managed Monday's record demand without major problems.

"The ERCOT region is continuing to experience high temperatures throughout the state which is causing high electricity usage,” said Kent Saathoff, vice president of system planning and operations.

“We’re very pleased that ERCOT system operators and the region’s transmission and generation owners were able to manage today’s record demand without any major issues.”

High temperature records were set Monday around the state.

In Waco, the temperature reached 107, breaking the record of 106 for the date set in 1988