PGE customers set third summer power consumption record

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July 29, 2009

Portland, Ore. — Portland General Electric customers have again broken the summer record for electricity consumption. A third consecutive day of triple digit temperatures resulted in peak electricity use by PGE customers Wednesday that was more than 17 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 3,950 MW of electricity, slightly over Tuesday’s summertime record of 3,910 MW and Monday’s 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 ready to respond to any heat-related power outages through the night on Wednesday. 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.