Your Missouri Electric Cooperatives work every day to provide you with affordable, reliable electric power. To do that, we embrace a diverse power supply that includes coal, natural gas, wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.
Nearly 70% of your Cooperative’s energy comes from baseload resources like coal and gas, but Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives rely on clean energy sources, too. In fact, it’s that diversity of baseload and clean energy sources that makes it possible for us to provide you with the safe, reliable, and affordable energy you’ve come to expect from us.
You see, when we talk about how solar, wind, and hydroelectric power help diversify our power supply, we can’t ignore the fact that the energy from a solar array or wind turbine doesn’t coincide with the times of the day when you, our Member-Owners, need the most electricity.
The times of the day when you use the most electricity are called your peak load. Across the state, our Member-Owners are “on peak” during the hottest and coldest summer and winter months at the hours of the day when your families are home from school and work.
Summer Peak Load
Missouri’s peak summer load occurs during the hottest months of the year: June, July, and August. During those months, Missourians are “on peak” from about 2:00 p.m. through around 10:00 p.m. These are the hottest hours of the day during the hottest months of the year, so it’s not surprising that you and your family are among thousands of Member-Owners who crank up the A/C (and use a lot of electricity) to stay cool.
Winter Peak Load
Missouri’s peak winter load comes during the coldest months of the year: December, January, and February. Each day, Missouri Member-Owners like you reach your peak electric usage early in the morning and late in the evening. Specifically, Missouri is “on peak” in the winter from about 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and again from about 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Your Missouri Electric Cooperatives know that reliable, affordable energy — especially on the hottest summer afternoons and the coldest winter mornings and nights — is your highest priority. But we also know that there’s value in renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.
Understanding peak load helps your Missouri Electric Cooperatives to see exactly where renewables like wind and solar can — and can’t — help meet Missouri’s greatest need for electric power.
Learn more about Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives, and how we work to provide safe, efficient energy to rural Missouri by following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
