Hot temperatures and high humidity levels that could push electricity use to near-record levels this week have forced ISO New England to ask customers to voluntarily conserve power.
“As the heat continues to build throughout the week, electricity demand is expected to increase significantly, which is likely to result in tight system conditions,” Vamsi Chadalavada, executive vice president and chief operating officer of ISO New England, said in a statement. “The ISO is asking consumers to voluntarily conserve as a precautionary step to help manage system conditions.”
The highest demand is expected to take place Thursday at nearly 28,000 megawatts. Last summer, electricity demand peaked July 17 at 25,880.
Reducing power consumption between noon and 8 p.m. will help maintain the grid reliability, ISO said. Suggested conservation steps include raising air conditioning temperatures as health permits, turning off unneeded lights and appliances and doing laundry either early or late in the day.
