A new summer record for electricity use was set in Alberta on July 17, 2024. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Albertans set summer electricity use record Wednesday

Jul 18, 2024 | 11:53 AM

Albertans consumed a record amount of electricity on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) says homes and businesses consumed 12,219 megawatts of power.

The previous record of 12,122 megawatts was set just one week prior on July 10.

The AESO is asking Albertans to conserve power, especially between 5:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. when electricity use is the highest. Some ways that you can do that include:

• Turn off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances
• Minimize the use of air conditioning/space heaters
• Delay the use of major power-consuming appliances such as washers, dryers and dishwashers until after peak hours
• Use cold water for washing clothes—most of the energy used goes to heating the water (only running full loads helps too)
• Delay charging electric vehicles and/or plugging in block heaters
• Cook with your microwave, crockpot or toaster oven instead of the stove
• Limit the use of kitchen or bathroom ventilation fans
• Use motion-detector lights in storage areas, garages, and outdoors when possible
• Work on a laptop instead of a desktop computer (laptops are more energy-efficient than desktop units)

  We hit a new summer peak record yesterday of 12,219 MW. The previous summer record was 12,122 MW set on July 10, 2024. You can play a role in reducing strain on the grid during this heat wave by minimizing energy consumption from 5-9:30 p.m. https://t.co/lzRxJb13DK pic.twitter.com/NaBuRVEx7Q

  — AESO (@theAESO) July 18, 2024

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