HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – ERCOT, the beleaguered electric grid operator for most of Texas, is urging customers to save power during a five-hour peak Saturday and Sunday as it faces the times to exceptionally hot weather and the tripping of six offline power generation facilities.

The non-profit agency’s CEO, Brad Jones, revealed that taking the facilities offline on Friday afternoon resulted in the loss of 2,900 megawatts of electricity.

RELATED: Record-breaking Texas heat could push power grid demand to the brink over Mother’s Day weekend, warns ERCOT

Jones added that with soaring temperatures expected for the second consecutive weekend, demand for electricity will be pushed to the limit.

“We’re asking Texans to save energy when they can by setting their thermostats to 78 degrees or higher and avoiding the use of major appliances (like dishwashers, washing machines and dryers). -laundry) during peak hours between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. over the weekend,” Jones said in a statement.

As of late Friday afternoon, all available reserve generation resources are functioning, Jones said.

SEE ALSO: Here’s how you can check the real-time Texas grid