The Bonneville Power Administration is preparing to meet increased electricity demand as the region braces for temperatures nearing the century mark over the next three days. Power use by BPA customers rose to record highs nearly a year ago, when temperatures climbed above 100 degrees on Aug. 2, 2017. At that time, Northwest energy consumers used 8,226 megawatts. For reference, just one MW can power an estimated 700 Northwest homes; 1,200 MW can power an entire city the size of Seattle. With the region again facing a potential multi-day summer heat wave, BPA is preparing for extremes. River system forecasters are in close contact with hydropower operators at Columbia and Snake river dams, which are part of the Federal Columbia River Power System. Forecasters are studying the water flows available for power generation and fish passage and comparing them to energy consumption models to meet all the uses of the river.
