G&T exceeds record peak by nearly 100 megawatts

A recent wave of blistering triple-digit temperatures in the region pushed Tri-State’s peak demand for electricity to a new record on July 18, according to Tom Smith, senior manager of system operations. "We hit 2,542 megawatts at 4:03 pm. That's 99 megawatts above last summer's record peak of 2,443 megawatts," he said.

Tri-State was able to meet that record power requirement despite a tube leak that forced the shutdown of Craig Station’s Unit 2 during this heat wave. The unit was returned to service on July 19 at a limited capacity of 305 megawatts due to boiler chemistry. It is expected to return to full load soon, Smith said.

While the heat was on Wednesday, the power supplier also released the first of two solicitations to be issued this year for new power supply resources. The request for proposal describes Tri-State’s request for up to 250 megawatts of intermediate power supply to serve its growing loads. The wholesale power supplier expects to release a second solicitation specifically for renewable energy later in 2007.