Record Phoenix heats tops SRP's energy demand mark

PHOENIX - Salt River Project officials say Wednesday's record heat pushed the utility company's energy demand to a record level.

The Arizona Republic says SRP's demand hit 6,665 megawatts between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday on a day that temperatures hit 116 in Phoenix.

That topped SRP's previous mark by 75 megawatts that was set on July 21, 2006 when it was 118 degrees in Phoenix.

SRP officials say the new record is attributed not just to the hot weather, but the fact that the utility has grown its customer base since 2006.

The summer peak is the maximum demand during a 15-minute period that the electrical system is expected to experience.

SRP officials say the peak usually occurs in July or August sometime between 5 and 6 p.m.