JACKSON, Mich., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Summer-like temperatures across Michigan yesterday prompted residents and businesses to turn on their air conditioners, producing an hourly peak record for October for Consumers Energy's electric system.
Record demand on Consumers Energy's electric system resulted in a new October record of 7,166 megawatts (MW) between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. yesterday. That's approximately 8 percent higher than the former October peak record of 6,644 MW set on October 4, 2005.
So far this year, demand for power on Consumers Energy's electric system has produced all-time hourly peak records in February, June and October.
Demand for more power on Consumers Energy's electric system has been growing for several years. The utility's 1.8 million electric customers use approximately 8 percent more power today than they did a decade ago.
A megawatt is a million watts or 1,000 kilowatts. That's enough electricity to power about 10,000 100-watt light bulbs.
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to almost nearly 6.5 of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
For more information about Consumers Energy, visit our Website at http://www.consumersenergy.com/.
