El Paso Electric is launching a trial initiative to explore a novel strategy for minimizing peak electricity demand. This program will compensate customers for voluntarily decreasing their power usage during periods of high demand.

The utility has enrolled 370 residential customers in the year-long pilot, scheduled to run from September 2024 to August 2025. Participating customers will receive financial incentives in the form of rebates for each kilowatt-hour they conserve during peak usage times, generally occurring between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays.

This trial is part of El Paso Electric’s efforts to manage rising electricity needs and potentially sidestep significant investments in infrastructure. The goal is to lessen overall demand and bolster the stability of the power grid by encouraging customers to reduce their consumption at critical times.