Xcel Energy expects to hit its highest power consumption level for the year this evening, when people return home from work and turn up their air conditioners.
Spokesman Mark Stutz said he’s projecting that Xcel customers in Colorado will consume 6,770 megawatts of power during the peak period, which usually occurs between 4 and 7 p.m.
Xcel set its peak consumption for this year on June 28 at 6,190 megawatts. The all-time record of 6,911 megawatts was set on July 24, 2007.
To put that into perspective, one megawatt typically powers about 750 homes, Stutz said.
Stutz said Xcel is prepared to deal with several 90- to 100-degree days. It has stored up a reserve of power and can purchase power from other utilities, he said.
About 3,000 people in the Reunion neighborhood in Commerce City lost power for up to five hours Sunday night. Heidi Storz, a spokeswoman for United Power, which supplies the neighborhood, suggested that residents do everything they can to conserve energy. She suggested, for example, running air conditioners on lower levels.
Liz Navratil: 303-954-1054 or lnavratil@denverpost.com
