How come electricity suppliers can't keep up with the demand?

Sometimes it seems we're paying first world prices for third world service. Yesterday (6/26/13) was a hot day in Midland, Texas, government weather reported 109ºF. But, the heat index was only 103ºF, so we had that going for us.

It was a heat wave, the type that happens in Texas several times every summer. So why can't the electricity providers keep up with the demand? Newswest9.com told us at 4:30 PM yesterday the following:

Numerous NewsWest 9 viewers are calling into the NewsWest 9 newsroom about power outages in Midland and Odessa.

The first power outage is in Midland. According to the ONCOR Stormcenter website, over 2,900 customers are without power on the west side of Midland.

Power is anticipated to be back on by 6 p.m.

Who is to blame? Why it must be the customers, because Oncor has asked them to cut back.

Tell ya what. We're paying sums in three figures per month for electricity. So how about the power company try to keep up with the increased demand that everyone knows comes every time there's a heat wave, year after year.

If they can't keep up with an ordinary heat wave, it doesn't sound like they would do well if something really significant happened, a Carrington Event or an EMP, for example.