How can the Southern power grid handle months of blistering heat with everyone blasting air conditioners, but can’t handle two days below freezing?

Question

How can the Southern power grid handle months of blistering heat with everyone blasting air conditioners, but can’t handle two days below freezing?

In: 1150

Answer 1

Us – and our homes – are more accustomed/equipped for the heat. When the cold comes, we bring out an army of space heaters. Space heaters are pretty much the least efficient electrical thing on the market, and that load goes all the way to the grid.

(In addition to the other answers. All are valid – there’s a lot of things going on when it hits 8° in the south)