Arizona utilities shatter energy demand records amid extreme heat

Arizona’s two largest electric utilities set all-time energy demand records on the same day last week as extreme heat drove electricity use to historic highs across the state.

The new peak was recorded between 5 and 6 p.m. on July 24, according to preliminary figures from APS. The previous record was set Aug. 7, 2025. This year, APS clocked homes and businesses using 9,053 megawatts compared to last year’s 8,648 megawatts, meaning this year’s peak exceeded last summer’s record by about 5%. Said another way, this year’s peak exceeded last summer’s record by about 5%.

On the same day, in the same hour, Salt River Project announced they too broke their previous energy usage record. SRP delivered an all-time high peak load of 9,072 MW, surpassing its previous record of 8,542 MW also set Aug. 7, 2025.

SRP also exceeded its 2025 record on July 23 and July 25.

It marked the fourth consecutive year APS customers have set a peak energy use record. The utility said it reflects continued growth across Arizona as more people move to the state, new businesses open and the economy expands.

The record demand came as the Phoenix area remained under an extreme heat warning that has been in effect since Thursday. The National Weather Service said temperatures could climb as high as 115 to 118 degrees later this week, well above the normal high of 106 for this time of year.

The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order July 26 directing the deployment of backup generation resources in a number of states to ensure grid reliability. The order does not apply to APS, which said it has sufficient generation and reserves to serve customers throughout Arizona.

APS serves 1.5 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties and SRP serves about 1.2 million customers in the greater Phoenix area.

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