San Diego Gas & Electric® (SDG&E®) thanks customers for their patience and understanding following unplanned outages during one of the region’s most demanding periods for the electric system in more than a decade, driven by several weeks of sustained heat across the region, culminating in exceptionally high temperatures last week.

Prolonged hot weather causes air conditioners and other cooling equipment to run longer and work harder to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, increasing electricity use across homes and businesses.

Last week, the region experienced exceptionally high temperatures that drove electricity use to the highest levels ever seen. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, SDG&E reached a new all-time peak net system energy demand of 5,209 megawatts, surpassing the previous peak of 4,890 megawatts set in September 2014. The historic demand highlights the essential role a reliable electric system plays in supporting the health, safety and daily needs of the communities it serves during extreme weather.

“Our focus throughout this heat event was on our customers and the communities we serve,” said Kevin Geraghty, SDG&E’s chief operating and safety officer. “While localized SDG&E outages occurred, our teams remained focused on restoring service safely and maintaining reliability across the broader electric system. We are grateful for the patience of our customers and proud of the crews who worked in extreme conditions to serve our communities.”

Across California, electricity demand reached some of the highest levels of the year. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), the agency that manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance transmission system that serves about 80 percent of California, recorded a year-to-date peak load on Wednesday, Sept. 9, of 50,335 megawatts.

The same prolonged heat and elevated electricity demand that drove record system usage also created challenges for some customers. While most maintained service throughout the heat event, some experienced localized outages. SDG&E recognizes that losing power is especially difficult during periods of extreme heat. Sustained extreme temperatures and unusually high electricity demand can place additional strain on electric equipment, contributing to failures that require repair and restoration.

Years of investment and preparation strengthened SDG&E’s ability to serve customers during last week’s extreme heat. Continued grid modernization, system hardening and reliability improvements, along with approximately 2,466 megawatts of new energy capacity added since 2020, supported overall system performance as electricity demand reached exceptionally high levels. Despite the record demand, SDG&E’s electric grid continued operating reliably, maintaining service for the vast majority of its 1.3 million customers. When localized outages occurred, lineworkers and supporting crews responded quickly, working in extreme conditions to safely restore service and help minimize the impact on customers.

With hot weather continuing, SDG&E encourages customers to put health and safety first. Simple steps such as staying hydrated, closing blinds and curtains, using fans wisely, cooling homes earlier in the day and shifting major appliance use outside peak evening hours can help customers stay comfortable and manage energy use. Customers looking for additional support can also explore bill assistance, payment arrangements and energy-saving resources available through SDG&E at sdge.com/simplesteps.