Alan Findlay, Queen’s Park Bureau
Toronto Sun
June 28, 2005

Ontario sucked up record levels of electricity to beat the heat yesterday as striking Hydro One workers continued targeting generators that are running flat out to feed air conditioners.

Late yesterday afternoon, electricity consumption soared past the previous provincial record, surpassing Ontario’s home-grown supply and forcing power officials to import expensive electricity from neighbouring U.S. states and provinces.

The previous record for hourly consumption was set on Aug. 13, 2002, when 25,414 megawatts were consumed. By 6 p.m. yesterday, usage had edged above the 26,000-megawatt mark.

The difference between yesterday’s consumption and the previous record represents almost enough electricity to power a city the size of London, Ont., according to one system official. "Although the system is strained, no question, we can meet demand," said Terry Young, spokesman for the Independent Electricity System Operator.

Another record today?

Yesterday’s record, however, may not last long. The heat wave carries on through the week and air conditioners will work even harder to keep buildings cool. "We could be looking at another record (today)," Young said.

A new report by the IESO warns the province will continue to be reliant on its neighbours for power during the hot days until more local generation is up and running.

Ontario Power Generation managed to keep its available turbines cranking out hydro through the day, despite picket lines being set up outside two stations early in the morning.

Over 2,000 megawatts were being imported during the day.

Critics and industry watchers characterized yesterday’s achievement as dubious, considering the provincial government’s promise to reduce consumption by 5% by 2007.

"Ontario should be very worried about this," said Energy Probe‘s Tom Adams. "Our electricity consumption keeps rising, but our capacity to generate power is not."

The province has said it will give $160 million of electricity revenues to reward customers who conserve electricity.