Ontario Urges Power Conservation for the Week
By REUTERS
Filed at 11:21 a.m. ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Independent Electricity System Operator, which operates the Ontario power grid, asked consumers to reduce their use of electricity for the remainder of the week as record hot weather continues to put a strain on the province's electricity system.
In a release, the IESO said voluntary appeal for reduced consumption is in effect until 6 p.m. Friday, but noted it may issue power warnings or power emergencies if the situation deteriorates.
``The heat wave is presenting a number of challenges for the IESO in managing the reliability of the electricity system,'' Paul Murphy, chief operating officer for the IESO, said in the release.
The IESO forecast a peak demand on Tuesday of 25,549 megawatts, below the province's all-time peak demand of 26,160 MW hit on July 13. One megawatt powers about 800 homes, according to the North American average.
``The sustained hot weather is resulting in record demands for electricity and places operating limitations on both generation and transmission facilities. In addition, a near drought in much of Ontario has resulted in decreased supply from hydroelectric generating facilities,'' Murphy said.
Meteorologists forecasts above-normal high temperatures in the mid 80s (low 30s Celsius) for the rest of the week.
The IESO wants consumers and businesses to reduce the electricity consumption, where possible, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
``Higher consumption will mean higher electricity bills -- any conservation efforts will not only help individual consumers to offset those higher costs, but will help us to maintain reliable service to all consumers,'' Murphy added.
The IESO issues a power advisory when the grid operator forecasts supplies of power, including imports, will be adequate, but the expected high demand will put a prolonged strain on the electricity system.
The IESO operates the power grid used by more than 11 million people in Ontario and administers the wholesale electric market with a generating capacity of more than 31,000 megawatts. |
