Record Demand For Electricity In Heat Wave

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Xcel Energy has set a new record for demand in the current heat wave as some customers cope with outages.

Xcel contends it has enough supply, but a heat wave like this puts a stress on the system, with distribution lines failing and fuses blowing out.

As a result, thousands of customers have experienced scattered outages.

One north Minneapolis woman who didn't want to be identified had her power go out Monday night, adding to an already tough summer.

"I am in the area where the tornado hit on May 22 and we had an outage for several days at that time" she said.

Xcel is expecting the high demand for power to continue into Wednesday.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Steve Murphy Reports

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• Heat Wave