San Diego Gas & Electric Set New Peak Demand Record

A record-breaking heat wave pushed electricity usage to 5,209 megawatts across the San Diego region.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Utilities

San Diego Gas & Electric Set New Peak Demand Record

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Do you trust your local utility to prevent power outages during extreme heat events?

San Diego Gas & Electric reached a record electricity load of 5,209 megawatts on September 9, 2026, as extreme heat strained the local power grid. Approximately 15,000 customers faced temporary power outages during the surge.

Why it matters

The record demand underscores the challenge of maintaining grid reliability during extreme weather events that cause homes and businesses to increase air conditioning use. High temperatures and humidity levels forced utility crews to work in difficult conditions to restore service.

The utility recorded a peak load of 5,209 megawatts, surpassing the previous record of 4,890 megawatts from 2014. These figures occurred against a backdrop of 29 unplanned outages affecting 15,000 customers.

The players

San Diego Gas & Electric

This public utility company provides electricity and natural gas to approximately 1.3 million customers in the San Diego region.

California Independent System Operator

This non-profit organization oversees the operation of the power grid and electricity market for the majority of California.

The details

On September 9, 2026, temperatures reached 95 degrees at Petco Park while the broader California grid hit a load of 50,042 megawatts. A single circuit-line outage in Rancho Bernardo and Poway alone left 8,700 customers without electricity at 1:30 p.m.

September 2014: Previous peak demand record was set at 4,890 megawatts.
Midnight September 8, 2026: Utility began tracking unplanned outages.
1:30 p.m. September 9, 2026: Circuit-line outage occurred in Rancho Bernardo and Poway.
September 9, 2026: SDG&E reached the new record peak demand.

Market Landscape

This record surpasses the September 2014 record peak demand of 4,890 megawatts, demonstrating how modern heat events are pushing infrastructure beyond historical limits. The surge highlights the increasing difficulty of grid management as utilities compete to maintain reliability during climate-driven load spikes.

Consumers should prepare for potential service interruptions during future extreme weather events as high temperatures force the grid to operate at capacity. Residents in affected areas may continue to see localized maintenance as utility crews address infrastructure stress.

The takeaway

Maintaining home cooling systems and ensuring backup battery supplies are ready can help households navigate these periods of high utility stress. Tracking grid alerts provided by local providers remains the best way to stay informed during sudden outages.