As California endures a historic, record-setting heat wave, power grid managers are reassuring the public that supply can meet demand and keep the air conditioners running.
“The grid is currently stable, and we are forecasting sufficient energy supply to cover demand through today,” California Independent System Operator (ISO), the non-profit that oversees the Golden State’s bulk power system, said in a statement on Monday. “We continue to monitor the high temperatures throughout California and the West, which are expected to persist through this week.”
The heat wave has gripped the region since last week, producing extremely dangerous high temperatures in Southern California’s inland valleys and deserts.
Palm Springs reached a scorching 124 degrees on Saturday, setting a new record. The National Weather Service forecasts highs between 127 and 130 degrees for Death Valley throughout the week. The current record is 130 degrees.
Even areas of Los Angeles County, including the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley and Antelope Valley are expected to see afternoon highs between 106 and 116 degrees. Excessive Heat Warnings remain in effect for much of the region through Thursday.
California ISO is forecasting Monday’s demand to peak at 44,111 megawatts around 6:45 p.m. Current capacity, it says, is 55,211 megawatts.
“No rotating power outages are planned for the California ISO high-voltage electricity grid,” managers said.
While still hot, the most densely populated areas of L.A. and San Diego have been mostly spared from triple-digit temperatures, allowing supply to keep pace with demand thusfar, California ISO said.
“Temperatures in the coastal areas in both Northern and Southern California are not as unseasonably warm as the interior of the state, which is keeping electricity demand lower across the grid and helping maintain system reliability,” a spokesperson told KTLA 5 News.
