FortisBC sees record high summer electricity usage as temperatures spike

Aug 4, 2020

Keep cool this summer while lowering energy use with energy saving tips

Kelowna, B.C. – July 31, 2020: As temperatures spike across the province, so does the demand for electricity. On July 30, 2020, FortisBC experienced record setting demand on its electric utility in the Okanagan and Kootenay, with a new summer peak load of 651 megawatts (MW). Its previous peak summer load of 630 MW was set on August 1, 2018. The new record reflects the growing energy demand in these regions especially during the hottest days.

FortisBC expects the demand to remain high as the warm weather continues through the weekend and into next week. Customers can see if their own use has changed by viewing their weekly, daily and hourly electricity use on their account online. If people are concerned about their use, some of the ways they can lower demand on their cooling systems are:

• Closing windows curtains and blinds. Taking this step, especially when temperatures are at their peak, will prevent the sun from heating up the home.
• Installing weather stripping to seal gaps and cracks around doors and windows prevents warmer air from entering the home, helping keep the cooler air inside the home as well.

With the demand for electricity steadily increasing, FortisBC is also investing in upgrades to make sure its customers continue to have the electricity they need, especially on the hottest and coolest days of the year when the demand for energy is at its peak. For example, the company is installing a new transformer at the Sexsmith substation in Kelowna that will help increase its capacity. Earlier this year, FortisBC also submitted an application to their regulator, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), requesting to add a third transformer to the Lee Terminal substation also located in Kelowna.

To learn more about how to save energy in your home, visit fortisbc.com/savingenergy.

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