IESO Extends Power Warning As Heat Wave Continues

Relief from the heat should be here within 24 hours.

It’s supposed to be another scorcher Wednesday, with temperatures of about 34 degrees in the afternoon. But thunderstorms forecast for later in the day should give way to slightly cooler temperatures Thursday, when it should only reach 26 degrees.

That’s about 10 degrees cooler than what Ontarians sweltered through on Tuesday, the heat wave pushing power usage to a record 27,000 megawatts.

A power warning was in effect all day, but even calls for conservation didn’t keep the province from hitting the all-time high.

And even though Wednesday’s usage should be slightly lower – predicted to reach 26,500 megawatts – the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has extended the power warning until 8pm, asking consumers to keep their power use low to help ease the strain on the system.

“We are looking at very high demand levels again today because of the continued heat and humidity,” said Paul Murphy, Chief Operating Officer for the IESO. “Curtailment efforts help relieve the strain on the power system.”

This week’s heat wave has meant more work for paramedics checking on seniors, who are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. There were about 10 per cent more calls to EMS crews than normal, mainly from people with breathing problems.

So far there haven’t been any heat-related deaths, but fainting due to heat exhaustion is reportedly up 30 per cent.

And though Toronto may have escaped a blackout despite Tuesday’s record power consumption the same couldn’t be said in the Big Apple. A major blackout left huge sections of Manhattan in darkness overnight, including the Empire State Building. Temperatures there are expected to hit a punishing 38 degrees Wednesday.

Here are some ways the IESO recommends consumers and businesses can reduce demand on the electricity system:

• Turning off all but essential internal and external lights
• Setting air conditioners to 26 degrees Celsius or higher, or using fans as an alternative
• Closing curtains and blinds to keep out the sun and retaining cooler air inside
• Avoiding or limiting the use of major power-consuming equipment such as dishwashers, washers and dryers and swimming pool pumps between 8am and 8pm