Some customers, whose contracts allow them to have their service interrupted in times of shortages, did lose their power. Power companies say it is the burgeoning high-tech industries which are largely responsible for soaring demand in power consumption. One microchip manufacturing plant burns as much power as 50,000 homes, experts say. But the heatwave has made matters worse, as air conditioning systems and fans are switched on across the state. San Francisco and Los Angeles are also suffering higher temperatures than normal.
New plants are under construction to cope with the growing demand from the computer firms.
But some firms are taking matters into their own hands. Oracle has already built its own sub-station and several of its rivals, including Microsoft, are said to be thinking of doing the same. Links to more Americas stories are at the foot of the page.