Here’s how electrical utilities in Stanislaus County are preparing for the extreme heat
Electricity suppliers in Stanislaus County said they can meet the increased demand from the extreme heat this week.
The Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts both project use to fall short of the records set on the same 112-degree day in 2022.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. serves a small part of the county, mainly around Oakdale and in parts of the West Side. But it is far from the zone where outages might be ordered to prevent wildfires.
The National Weather Service forecast daily highs in Modesto fluctuating between 107 and 110 degrees from Tuesday through Monday, July 8.
How much demand does MID foresee?
MID expects daily consumption to peak at about 700 megawatts this week, public affairs manager Melissa Williams said in an email Monday. The average is about 650 megawatts on more typical summer days in the 90s.
“We currently don’t have any concerns with meeting power demand this week given the current system conditions,” Williams said.
MID’s highest-demand day ever was Sept. 6, 2022, at 760 megawatts. TID also set a record, at 735 megawatts. Neither had major outages.
The districts draw on a mix of hydroelectric, gas, wind, solar and other sources. They include their own generating plants and purchases on long-term and spot markets.
Despite all this, isolated outages can happen due to equipment malfunctions, wildfires or other causes. MID customers can report them at mid.org or 209-526-7337. An online map shows the status of places without power. TID has a similar tool.
Details on TID and PG&E
TID does not expect to break the 2022 record but will still have “consistently high loads for an extended period,” said an email from Constance Anderson, communications division manager.
“The Independence Day holiday comes at a good time, as we usually see a lower demand on weekends and holidays,” she said.
PG&E sometimes cuts off power on purpose if dry, windy weather might cause contact between its wires and flammable vegetation.
The company warned Sunday of such outages possibly this week in eight counties: Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Napa, Shasta, Solano, Tehama and Yolo. The company also serves all of Tuolumne and nearby mountain counties, which are fire-prone but not under the current alert.
The heat spike comes about a month after California boosted the supply with new power plants near Modesto, Patterson and Lodi. The gas-fired units will kick on as needed to deal with emergencies.
