Whenever I can get outside, I am there. Just last month, I completed a half-marathon. Most of my training was outside, and I experienced all kinds of weather along the way. Maybe that’s why I enjoy summer so much. But from a professional standpoint, it can put us to the test.
As temperatures rise, so does demand. While that may sound simple, what’s happening behind the scenes is anything but. Unlike winter, when demand can spike and ease quickly, summer creates steady pressure. Air conditioners run longer, across entire regions, often at the same time. Those long, hot afternoons are when demand peaks.
At the same time, heat affects the system itself. Higher temperatures make power plants less efficient and reduce the amount of electricity that transmission lines can carry. So just as demand climbs, the system’s capacity tightens.
This year, the outlook offers some relief. According to ACES, our power industry weather and energy forecasting group, the 2026 Summer Outlook for the Midwest calls for near- to slightly-below-normal temperatures, along with more frequent precipitation. That combination should help moderate demand, which is projected to come in below the 10-year average.
Still, we don’t plan for average. We are required to plan for stress. It only takes a few hot, humid days to create peak conditions. And because electricity must be delivered the moment it’s needed, there’s no margin for delay. That is where preparation and discipline matter most. Our teams spend months getting ready, maintaining infrastructure, securing resources, and coordinating with grid partners. When demand is high, operators rely on experience, clear protocols, and constant communication to keep supply and demand in balance.
When I crossed the finish line of my half-marathon, there was a sense of accomplishment. I had spent months following a training plan and preparing for that moment. The work we do at Wabash is no different. Our teams prepare year-round through planning, investment, and disciplined operations, so when demand is at its highest, the system performs as it should. Summer doesn’t change our approach. It simply brings greater focus to it.
And when the heat is on, that preparation is what ensures we continue delivering reliable power to the communities we serve
Jeff Conrad is CEO of Wabash Valley Power Alliance in Indianapolis.
