Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
AMARILLO, Texas – Xcel Energy is asking electricity customers in its Texas and New Mexico service territory to conserve energy because of expected high electricity demand and limited supplies of surplus generation in the southwest.
The utility company urges consumers to limit their power use through 7 p.m. in order to reduce the strain on the power grid. Xcel Energy should produce enough power to meet demand today, but it is possible that reserve margins could tighten as air conditioning load rises in the afternoon hours.
The conservation period extends through the weekend unless conditions improve.
Customers can help prevent power emergencies by
Turning off unneeded lights, computers and appliances.
Setting the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher at home.
Turning up the thermostat to 85 degrees before leaving home.
Using major appliances and equipment after 7 p.m., when power demand is lower.
"The summer of 2012 has been another record-setting summer in terms of electricity
demand," said Riley Hill, president and CEO of Southwestern Public Service Company, an Xcel Energy company. "Our customers have been very helpful as we've worked together to meet these critical needs. For our part, we'll continue to invest in new power generation and transmission facilities to ensure future needs are met too."