New York sets record for peak power usage

New York peak power usage heat wave NYISO ConEd Consolidated Edison

A heat wave that hit New York last week led to a new record demand for power usage in the state, according to the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO). The operators recorded an average peak load of 33,955 MW between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. last Friday, which passed the previous record of 33,939 MW set in 2006.

According to NYISO President and CEO Stephen Whitley, the system met the record demand with “sustained reliable operation of the bulk electric system.” Whitley said the ability of meet unprecedented levels of generator availability was “one of the great success stories of New York’s competitive energy markets.”

New York City and Westchester also reached record peak demands on Friday, according to a report from Reuters. Consolidated Edison Inc. (NYSE: ED), the state’s largest utility, said on Friday its service area reached a peak demand of 13,214 MW, passing the old record of 13,189 MW set in 2011.