SDG&E Hits Record Load as Heat Spikes Demand
Extreme heat drove SDG&E to a new demand record, triggering localized outages and stressing the California grid.
San Diego Gas & Electric reported its highest one-day electricity demand on September 9, reaching 5,209 megawatts. This figure surpassed the previous record of 4,890 megawatts set in September 2014. The surge was driven by sustained high temperatures that forced residential and commercial air conditioning units to run continuously, including into the evening hours.
The operational strain resulted in 29 unplanned outages between midnight on September 8 and midnight on September 9. These events affected nearly 15,000 customers before service was restored. A specific circuit-line failure at 1:30 p.m. on September 9 isolated approximately 8,700 customers in the Rancho Bernardo and Poway areas, highlighting the localized stress on distribution infrastructure.
Statewide Grid Hits 2026 Peak
The demand spike extended beyond SDG&E’s service territory. The California Independent System Operator recorded a peak load of 50,042 megawatts on September 9, marking the highest single-day total for 2026. This statewide peak reflects the broader impact of the heat wave on the high-voltage transmission system that serves roughly four-fifths of California.
Operational Response to Extreme Conditions
SDG&E’s chief operating and safety officer, Kevin Geraghty, stated that the broader grid remained stable despite the localized disruptions. Field crews worked in extreme heat to restore service while maintaining system reliability across the 1.3 million-customer territory. The utility emphasized that the outages were temporary and that the wider electric system maintained stability during the demand spike.
The event underscores the correlation between meteorological extremes and utility load management. As reported in the GN auto stocks/utilities: power demand context, such heat waves directly increase the operational burden on distribution networks. The data from September 9 serves as a concrete example of how sustained high temperatures translate into record-breaking megawatt figures and temporary service interruptions.
