Heat Wave in Dallas: Understanding the Impact on Power Demand
May 12, 2025
Updated May 14, 2025 at 8:10 a.m. CDT
Update:
8:10 a.m. May 14: Updated to reflect the latest information.
Introduction to the Heat Wave
An unseasonable Dallas-area heat wave this week that’s expected to push temperatures into the upper 90s ― and perhaps even higher ― could also create record-breaking peak demand for the month of May.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas projected peak demand for 5 p.m. Wednesday to be 80,831 megawatts, surpassing the previous May demand record of 77,000 megawatts.
Demand projections decline the remainder of the week as temperatures slightly cool, according to the state’s power grid operator.
Wednesday’s projection is shy of the current all-time power demand record of 85,435 megawatts set in August 2023.
ERCOT’s Response to the Heat Wave
Breaking News
ERCOT had not issued an emergency weather alert or asked for energy conservation ahead of the high-demand week.
During the second annual ERCOT Innovation Summit last week in Round Rock, CEO Pablo Vegas told a group of reporters that he believes the grid will be reliable during the sustained summer heat.
He said “increased resources,” like solar and batteries, made a significant difference last summer in meeting demand. He added that ERCOT will again benefit from a full portfolio of resources this year.
“I feel confident that we’re going to be able to continue to meet the expectations on reliability over the course of this summer, and we’re going to do everything we can to integrate the resources on the supply side as quickly as we can,” Vegas said.
“It’s been something that’s been a strength of ERCOT’s and we’ll continue to work quickly to make sure everybody can get onto the grid that wants to.”
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About This Reporting
This reporting is part of the Future of North Texas, a community-funded journalism initiative supported by the Commit Partnership, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, the Dallas Mavericks, the Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, the McCune-Losinger Family Fund, The Meadows Foundation, the Perot Foundation, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the University of Texas at Dallas. The News retains full editorial control of this coverage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the heat wave in Dallas is expected to create record-breaking peak demand for the month of May. ERCOT is confident that the grid will be reliable during the sustained summer heat, thanks to increased resources like solar and batteries. The city is also facing other challenges, such as sinking areas and growing hazards. It’s essential to stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe during this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the heat wave and power demand in Dallas:
Q: What is the expected peak demand for this week?
A: The Electric Reliability Council of Texas projected peak demand for 5 p.m. Wednesday to be 80,831 megawatts.
Q: Is ERCOT issuing an emergency weather alert or asking for energy conservation?
A: No, ERCOT had not issued an emergency weather alert or asked for energy conservation ahead of the high-demand week.
Q: What is the current all-time power demand record in Texas?
A: The current all-time power demand record in Texas is 85,435 megawatts, set in August 2023.
