Boone Electric dealing with power spikes amid extreme heat, but says no need to worry

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone Electric Cooperative in Columbia said that while it's seen some spikes in usage as near-record heat blankets the area, the high demand isn't abnormal in the summer.

Boone Electric spokeswoman Meredith Hoenes said the spikes have been coming around 5 p.m. when most people are getting off work. She said demand hit 131.4 megawatts Thursday, a high number but not one that causes concern. Demand on a normal day might be around 75 megawatts, Hoenes said.

High demand was also expected Friday, she said.

Boone Electric usually sees its biggest customer demand in August. Hoenes said while this weather is out of the ordinary for June, the company has already been preparing for summer-like temperatures. The temperature was at 95 degrees at the Columbia Regional Airport by mid-afternoon Friday and the area was under a heat advisory with heat indexes expected to reach up to 105 degrees.

The utility has more flexibility in where it can draw power in the summer than in the winter, Hoenes said.

Some Boone Electric customers participate in a load management program to cut down power consumption. Members are required to sign up to be a part of the program which periodically will shut down their water heater and air conditioning if needed.

Hoenes said the company used load management Thursday night, adding that most people never notice their air conditioning or water heater is shut off.

However, the company isn't asking members to take any preemptive steps to prevent any sort of blackout,

Hoenes said in order to avoid a large utility bill, residents should begin thinking about how they use energy in their homes. However, the company isn't taking any preemptive energy conservation measures.