Compounding the record demand are low wind speeds, which are keeping the state’s massive fleet of turbines at less than 10% of their potential output.

“There have been no directives for any industrials to curtail involuntarily,” she said.

Roth said drought, which covers nearly 87% of Texas, is adding to the high temperatures. Without much soil moisture the sun’s energy goes directly into heating the air. An area of high pressure stuck over the lower Great Plains into Texas is just magnifying the sultry conditions.