Canada’s power grid operator lifts earlier consumption alert
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A massive winter storm across Canada has knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of homes on Jan 13.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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OTTAWA – The Alberta Electric System Operator (Aeso) lifted the grid alert issued earlier on Jan 13 asking customers to reduce their consumption to avoid a power shortfall after a demand spike caused by extreme cold.
The Aeso earlier declared the grid alert and asked citizens to immediately reduce their electricity use to essential needs in response to ongoing extreme cold temperatures across western Canada, restricted imports and very high demand.
The Aeso had projected a shortfall of up to 200 megawatts of electricity during the peak evening hours and warned of potential rotating outages until demand declined or generation returned to the grid.
The operator lifted the alert as of 8.40pm (11.40am Singapore time Sunday).
The Aeso said after the alert was issued, it almost immediately saw a 100 megawatts drop in electricity demand, which rose to 200 megawatts within minutes.
A massive winter storm bringing snow, ice and high winds across the United States and Canada has also knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of homes across US Midwest and Pacific North-west on Jan 13.
Because of cold temperatures forecast through Jan 14, the Aeso also requested that Albertans continue to conserve energy during the peak demand period from 4pm to 7pm. REUTERS
