AEP urges customers to reduce energy use during heat wave

AEP Ohio issued an emergency request for energy conservation to prevent the need for rolling outages amid extreme heat.

In an X post, the power company said the heatwave is placing “significant burden” on the electric grid that provides electricity to Ohio and 12 other states. The emergency request asks customers to limit their energy use during peak hours of 3-7 p.m. by turning off or unplugging unused devices and lights, turning up their thermostats and avoiding the use of large appliances like dishwashers, ovens and washing machines.

AEP Ohio director of operations Matt Bennett told The Dispatch on June 23 there’s been no indication from PJM Interconnection, the organization that manages the 13-state-wide electricity grid, that an electrical outage is anticipated in the coming weeks, though it is a possibility.

A spokesperson for AEP Ohio Media Relations confirmed this remained accurate, adding that any small adjustments customers are able to make helps reduce demand on the electrical system.

“We coordinate closely with PJM, and their forecasted supply for today is aligning with their anticipated demand throughout the 13-state region they serve,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Again, the issue we’re seeing this week is strictly energy supply and demand. Since Ohio is a deregulated state, AEP Ohio is unable to do anything about the supply. However, we are able to help in proactively reducing demand across our service territory. This helps reduce the stress on the electric grid during peak demand and can also help customers save on their bills.”

Temperatures are projected to be in the high 90s the next few days, with heat index values reaching as high as 104 degrees. On June 25, temperatures are expected to slightly drop, remaining in the low 90s through June 29 at least.

Now until 8 p.m. June 25, Columbus and much of Ohio are under a heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service due to consecutive days — and even nights — of high heat and humidity.

Reporter Emma Wozniak can be reached at ewozniak@dispatch.com, or @emma_wozniak_ on X, formerly known as Twitter.