HAIER AMERICA VIA AP HAIER AMERICA VIA AP

The region’s electrical grid could be put to the test over the next three days as hot and humid weather has energy analysts saying it is “likely” that the grid will reach the summer’s peak demand one day this week.

There is a chance for demand on the New England region’s power grid to climb to about 23.2 gigawatts between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council said in an alert telling municipalities to reduce their consumption Tuesday afternoon and evening to save money on their electric bills. The organization, which runs a peak demand notification program in the summer months, said Wednesday (24.4 GW) and Thursday (23.5 GW) could also end up as peak demand days.

Grid operator ISO-New England in Holyoke reported Tuesday that it projected demand could peak at 23.2 GW sometime in the 5 p.m. hour Tuesday and that the grid has the capacity available to deliver 26.288 GW of power. An extended heat wave begins Tuesday for Massachusetts and forecasters at the National Weather Service said they expect “the most oppressive conditions Wednesday and Thursday.”

“After an extended stretch of almost early fall-like weather, summer has returned with a vengeance, and appears here to stay at least through the end of July,” meteorologists wrote.

Electricity demand in New England is highest in the summer when residents and businesses turn to air conditioning to beat the heat and humidity. The grid’s peak demand hour typically occurs during the late afternoon or evening in the hot summer months when air conditioning adds to the electrical load of businesses and homes. During peak demand periods, dirtier fuels like oil are pressed into service so reducing demand during those times can have a greater impact on emissions displacement by limiting the use of high-emitting power generators, MAPC said. Municipalities can also save money by reducing their electrical load when peak demand periods are in the forecast.

The state’s shift towards electrifying transportation and home heating is expected to change the region to a “winter peaking system” within the next 10 years, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card said earlier this year. Last year’s peak demand was 25.2 GW on June 29, 2021. The all-time record for peak demand in New England was set on Aug. 2, 2006, when demand reached 28.13 GW after a prolonged heat wave, ISO New England said.

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