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News Release
July 3, 2003
PNM Meets Record Demand for Electricity
Albuquerque: Sizzling temperatures in New Mexico are
producing record highs on the PNM electric system this week.
PNM's electric customers required a record 1,559 megawatts
of electricity at 5 p.m. yesterday, surpassing a previous
record of 1,456 megawatts set in August 2002. A megawatt is
enough electricity to serve 800 average-sized New Mexico homes.
Today's electric demand may surpass yesterday's record, but
numbers will not be immediately available. Data on the daily
peaks is subject to final verification by PNM system operators.
"PNM owns or has access to enough power to reliably
meet today's customer needs. We're also planning for tomorrow's
needs as well," said Eddie Padilla, senior vice president
of bulk power marketing and development. The company is able
to meet customer demand through a combination of long-term
resource planning and a generation portfolio that is diverse,
stable and competitive, Padilla said.
"Our power plant personnel and system operators work
closely together to balance the system and provide for whatever
amount of power customers may need," he said.
The company also buys power on the wholesale market when
needed to meet customer demand.
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