TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan recorded its highest-ever electricity consumption on Tuesday (July 2) as temperatures soared across the country.

Just before 2 p.m. Taipower reported electricity consumption reached 41.8 gigawatts (GW), beating the previous record of 40.74 GW set in July 2022, per CNA. Taipower said that high humidity and temperatures meant increased use of air conditioners, causing electricity consumption to spike.

Taipower’s website showed maximum available power output on Tuesday was 47.33 GW, meaning about 17% supply was in reserve. Taipower’s backup capacity warning light system remains at green, indicating sufficient power supply.

After today’s record, the second and third-highest electricity consumption records were made in July 2022, and the fourth and fifth-highest records were made in June this year.

Central Weather Administration data showed temperatures across most of Taiwan were over 30 C, and up to 35 C in central areas. The electricity spike comes after Taitung recorded a temperature of 41 C, the highest of 2024 so far.

July 3, 2023, was the hottest day ever recorded globally, according to data from the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction.