As the blistering heat wave continues to linger across the country, sweltering citizens are cranking up all varieties of cooling systems. The Southwest Power Pool (SPP), an electric reliability and coordination organization in Arkansas, is reporting record numbers for electricity demand in the region.

The record-breaking regional electricity demand reached a peak of 54,949 megawatts (MW) Tuesday afternoon, surpassing the previous record of 53,146 megawatts set in August of last year. Utilities are encouraging residents to conserve power.

“SPP serves as the ‘air traffic controller’ for the regional electric grid, and we have been working with our member utilities to balance real-time electricity supply and demand during this heat wave,” said Vice President of Operations Bruce Rew.

The peak demand numbers represent a single point in time where usage reached its highest levels, nearing the 55,000 megwatt mark.  The usage data comes from a combined pool of territories that span nine states, all of which have endured continuous scorching temperatures. Aside from Texas, the SPP scope also includes Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oklahoma.