Impacts on demand during current heatwave
July 9, 2020
This week’s heatwave shows again that weather is the biggest factor determining electricity demand. A couple interesting insights from the past few days:
Daily peak demand has climbed higher and higher each day as Ontarians keep the air conditioning running. Today’s expected peak is 24,900 megawatts, the highest in years.
A passing thunderstorm yesterday in Toronto and southwestern Ontario also shows how weather can change demand rapidly. The rain provided a quick reprieve from the heat and humidity, so air conditioners cycled off, contributing to a drop in Ontario's electricity demand.
