Heatwave presents challenges for SaskPower

Jul 2, 2021 | 3:06 PM

A spokesperson for SaskPower is confirming that a number of power outages across the Prince Albert region this week have been indirectly caused by the scorching hot weather.

Customers in the Canwood, Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, and Debden areas were without power for roughly three hours Tuesday night. There was also a brief blip Thursday afternoon in the Christopher Lake area. Scott McGregor, media relations consultant with the Crown Corporation, explained the influx of people cranking up their air conditioning units has put some pressure on the system.

“It’s just a lot of demand from a very localized area,” he said.

McGregor explained in situations like this, the remedy is simple and typically just involves the flip of a breaker switch.

To no one’s surprise, air conditioning systems have been running on max all week all across the province. At 5:09 p.m. on Wednesday, SaskPower’s peak load demand hit 3,547 megawatts (MW), setting the new summer record.

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“That’s equivalent to powering 20,000 homes, so it’s certainly not insignificant,” McGregor said.

With the extreme heat expected to continue for at least the next two days, McGregor offered customers advice on ways to keep cool, while also not running up expensive bills. The first step is investing in a smart/ programmable thermostat.

“There’s no point running your air conditioner full-bore if you are not going be there; if you are going be at the lake for a week or on vacation for a while,” he said.

McGregor said another good piece of advice is to close your blinds during the daytime and make sure both your air conditioner and furnace are running in top shape, inspected once a year.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Heatwave presents challenges for SaskPower

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