California power demands soar to 3-year high

A heat wave and air conditioners pushed California’s electricity use to its highest mark in three years, according to information from the state’s main grid operator.

The California Independent System Operator recorded electricity use of 45,462 megawatts at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. That represents the highest need on record since Aug. 13, 2012.

Responding to continued forecasts for hot weather on Friday, San Diego Gas & Electric offered discounts on power bills to customers who can use less power than they normally do. The utility offered a 75 cent bill credit for every kilowatt-hour reduction in electricity use of Friday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

A high pressure weather system sent temperatures soaring Thursday, raising the wildfire threat inland and sending large crowds to the coast.

Forecasters predicted high temperatures near 87 on Friday at San Diego’s Lindberg Field, some 10 degrees above normal. Areas close to the coast will hit 90, and some inland valleys could top 100, especially on Friday.

Grid operators have forecast plentiful power reserves for this summer. The last time a “Stage 1” alert was issued for threateningly low power supplies was in 2007.

That alert is issued when demands come within 7 percent of electricity supplies. Controlled power interruptions begin when power margins fall below 3 percent.

An all-time peak in power use of 50,270 was recorded on July 24, 2006.

SDG&E encouraged customers to reduce stress on the grid by turning off air conditioning when it is not needed, or setting thermostats to 78 degrees during the day instead of cooler temperatures.