Hourly peak load in ERCOT set a new record, exceeding 91 GW on July 22

Texas set a new record for electricity use on July 22, when demand on the state's power grid hit 91.1 gigawatts during a heat wave. That's 6% higher than the previous record, set in August 2023. The peak came at 6 p.m., and most of the power at that moment came from natural gas plants and solar, which together supplied about 80% of the electricity.

This matters because it shows how much summer cooling demand has grown in Texas, and grid operators think this record could be broken again before summer ends if another heat wave hits. A similar pattern is showing up elsewhere: the power grid covering parts of the central U.S. (the Southwest Power Pool) also hit a record demand of 57.9 gigawatts just days later, on July 27.

For homeowners, rising peak demand is a reminder that summer electricity use, and the strain it puts on the grid, keeps climbing as more air conditioners and other cooling equipment run hard during extreme heat. It doesn't change any specific rebate or program on its own, but it's part of the bigger picture behind utility rate discussions and time-of-use pricing, since utilities plan and price power partly around these peak hours. If your home relies heavily on air conditioning during heat waves, upgrades that reduce cooling load, such as better insulation, air sealing (blocking drafts and gaps that leak air), or a more efficient heat pump, can ease both your bill and the demand you place on the grid during these peak periods.