Mississauga, ON – As a prolonged heatwave engulfs the GTA, Alectra Utilities is advising customers to be mindful of energy consumption to help manage their summertime hydro bills.
“Our system peak demand is rising daily due to the cumulative effect of sustained high temperatures that are persisting overnight,” said Chris Hudson, Senior Vice President, Network Operations, Alectra. “These conditions are driving higher electricity demand, especially during late afternoons when temperatures are at their highest.”
The heat has led to a significant increase in electricity usage, as air conditioners and cooling systems are running overtime. On Tuesday, Alectra’s system load reached more than 5,000 megawatts (MW). Power consumption is expected to increase today as the week progresses, likely surpassing last year’s peak of 5,247 MW (one MW is equal to one million watts).
With extreme hot weather becoming more frequent, it is vital that we continue to invest in renewing aging equipment, and installing new infrastructure, to meet growing demand on the grid. For further information on Alectra's capital construction investments please visit: alectrautilities.com/improving-reliability.
Alectra is reminding everyone of these conservation tips to help reduce electricity consumption and their summertime hydro bills:
- Make use of a programmable thermostat to regulate temperature.
- Use ceiling and portable fans to circulate air.
- If possible, hang clothes outside instead of using a dryer.
- Use curtains or blinds to shade windows on hot sunny days.
- If using an air conditioner, keep doors and windows closed. This is especially important for small retail shops and restaurants with street-level entrances.
For more information about how you can save energy this summer and avoid higher bills, visit alectrautilities.com/tips-resources.
About Alectra Utilities
Serving more than one million homes and businesses in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions. Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow’s energy future.
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Ashley Trgachef, Media Spokesperson ashley.trgachef@alectrautilities.com | Telephone: 416.402.5469 | 24/7 Media Line: 1-833-MEDIA-LN