APS power use set new records this summer. Here's how much power customers used - The Arizona Republic

APS power use set new records this summer: See the numbers

APS power use set new records this summer. Here's how much power customers used
Kye Graves

Arizona Public Service customers set record-breaking energy demand numbers this summer, exceeding 2020 peak metrics during this year's heat wave.

Amid Arizona's historic summer season, which posted its hottest-ever July for the Phoenix and Flagstaff regions, APS was able to minimize heat-related outages and wildfire activity impacts.

Data released by the company, which supplies electricity to nearly 1.4 million homes and businesses in 11 Arizona counties, showed that customers reached an all-time record for the most electricity used in a single hour while sustaining high demand for energy during the latter portion of summer.

APS reported that on July 15, customers set a new all-time demand peak of 8,162 megawatts, surpassing the previous total of 7,660 set on July 30, 2020. In fact, the 2020 record was eclipsed on a total of 18 different days during July and August this year alone.

Phoenix's record-setting total of 55 days at or above 110 degrees was reflected among APS stats as well, with the service stating that it saw 18 days of record peak energy use during days at or above 110 degrees.

The group even established a streak of its own, reporting more energy used than the 2020 peak record over nine days straight in 2023.

“APS customers count on a reliable electric grid year-round, especially during the summer,” APS Executive Vice President of Operations Jacob Tetlow said in the release. “This summer's heat wave served as a reminder that our energy system can stand up to not just one hot summer day, but long stretches of extreme heat. This is all thanks to the proactive and careful planning by our skilled crews, resource planners and operators who work every day to keep the power on for our customers."

Crews replaced 125 power poles during monsoon

As for monsoon-related data, APS reported that crews replaced nearly 125 poles that were downed or damaged during the storm season, well below its typical average of 290 from May through September.

However, with the dry and disappointing monsoon— producing the lowest-ever precipitation total at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with 0.15 inch — the lack of pole repairs does not come as a shock.

Only three monsoon storms swept through the Valley this summer, on July 26, Aug. 31 and Sept. 12.

For those days, APS reported that the number of outages from the storms were:

- July 26: 7,750 customers without power
- Aug. 31: 18,000 customers without power
- Sept. 12: 11,000 customers without power

“We have prepared years in advance for this increased volume of energy demand, so it did not come as a surprise. Our resource planning team monitors customer growth and weather patterns and utilizes a diverse mix of energy sources from renewables and nuclear to flexible natural gas and as expected, our employees and our power grid delivered for our customers,” Tetlow said in the release.

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