Load Factor

The ratio of the average load to peak load during a specified time interval.

The ratio of the average load to the peak load during any particular period.

A percent telling the difference between the amount of electricity a consumer used during a given time span and the amount that would have been used if the usage had stayed at the consumer's highest demand level during the whole time. The term also is used to mean the percentage of capacity of an energy facility -- such as power plant or gas pipeline -- that is utilized in a given period of time.