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Insights > Hot Weather May Drive Increased Energy Usage
Hot Weather May Drive Increased Energy Usage
07/27/2021
Extremely hot weather across the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s region, including the Entergy service territory, may drive increased energy usage for the next few days. The heat wave could create an overall demand for power that exceeds generation capacity and a request for customers to voluntarily conserve power.
Additionally, MISO has notified utilities to follow procedures for emergency conditions. At this time, however, MISO has not indicated a power shortage will occur.
Entergy’s power plants and transmission operators are taking steps to help ensure sufficient power will be available for its customers. These include taking action to reduce risk of tripping generating stations offline and proactively guarding employees against the effects of the heat by using hydration and frequent cooling breaks.
These are extreme conditions creating potentially high demand for electricity over the next few days. Customers can help by only using appliances in their homes if necessary including:
- Using a microwave oven to cook or use an outside grill. Avoid using the stove or oven.
- Launder clothes and wash dishes in the early morning or late evening or set your timer to have them run overnight. Turn off the heat dry setting on your dishwasher.
Customers should stay safe as well. Several online resources are available to help you stay safe during hot weather. More information on recognizing and preventing these conditions are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
- Pace yourself.
- Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
- Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
- Never leave children or pets in cars.
- Check the local news for health and safety updates.
Entergy has been a member of MISO, one of the nation's largest regional transmission organizations, since December 2013. MISO is a not-for-profit member-based organization that ensures reliable, cost-effective delivery of electricity across all or parts of 15 U.S. states and one Canadian province. In cooperation with stakeholders, MISO manages approximately 65,000 miles of high-voltage transmission and 200,000 megawatts of power-generating resources across its footprint.
