July 28, 2009
PGE customers break yesterday’s summer power consumption record
Portland, Ore. — Portland General Electric customers have broken the summer record for electricity consumption that was set only yesterday. A second consecutive day of triple digit temperatures resulted in peak electricity use by PGE customers Tuesday that was more than 16 percent above the 3,300 megawatt (MW) peak that would be used on a typical July day.
By 5 p.m., PGE customers were using approximately 3,910 MW of electricity, significantly over yesterday’s summertime record of 3,790 MW. The previous summertime record was 3,743 MW set on Aug. 15, 2008. PGE’s all-time record of 4,073 MW was set on Dec. 21, 1998.
Area residents are encouraged to look out for their neighbors, especially the elderly and people with health conditions that may make the heat a problem for them.
PGE crews are mobilized and ready to respond to any heat-related power outages through the night on Tuesday. Customers should report outages at 503-464-7777 in Portland, 503-399-7717 in Salem and 800-544-1795 outside of the Portland or Salem areas.
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For more information, contact:
Brianne Hyder, PGE,
503-464-8442