For the first time in over a year, customer demand for electricity across Savannah Electric’s service area set new record highs.

Peak demand for electricity averaged 861 megawatthours between 5 and 6 p.m. EDT Friday, July 30, 1999, breaking the record set July 1, 1998, by approximately 15 megawatthours.

The company is monitoring the situation closely, however, it does not anticipate problems meeting customer needs at this time. Savannah Electric always encourages the wise use and conservation of energy.

Customers should check that air conditioning units are operating efficiently and that filters are cleaned monthly. When convenient, delaying use of large appliances and equipment such as ovens, dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers until after 7 p.m. may further ease the burden on air conditioning units. This can improve comfort levels and reduce demand during the peak afternoon hours.

Savannah Electric serves 125,000 customers in a five-county area of Southeast Georgia including all or parts of Chatham, Effingham, Bulloch, Bryan, and Screven. Savannah Electric is a subsidiary of Southern Company. Southern Company (NYSE: SO), the largest producer of electricity in the United States, is the parent firm of Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, Mississippi Power and Savannah Electric and is based in Atlanta.