Toronto — Ontario's electricity provider cautioned residents on Monday to conserve power or face the possibility of blackouts.
The stifling heat wave engulfing much of the province is pushing the system to the limit, which means that rolling blackouts are a distinct possibility.
The Independent Electricity System Operator says it is essential Ontarians go easy on their use of power for the rest of the week – especially between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Suggestions include turning off lights, setting air conditioners at 26 degrees or higher, and waiting until late evening to run appliances.
Operator spokesman Terry Young said demand is again expected to reach record levels.
“If problems develop quickly and unexpectedly, then we may have to take action without warning,” Mr. Young said Monday. “We may have to reduce voltage, we may have to buy some emergency power.”
The hot weather not only pushes up demand but can cut back the capacity of transmission facilities, Mr. Young said.
Overall, the province has been able to meet the demand with the help of imports, he said, but some hydroelectric plants are not working at capacity because drought conditions have inadequate supplies of water.
“What we're trying to prevent is having to institute any rotating power cuts where we have to cut demand in certain areas of the province to deal with the situation,” he said. “… Obviously the more that demand can be reduced, the more chance we have of avoiding that.”
