Ontario Clean Air Alliance: Jessica Fracassi - October 26, 2008

Ontario's peak demand for electricity fell by 6% during the summer of 2008 compared to the summer of 2007. Summer is the peak period for electricity use in Ontario, with air conditioners fueling demand.

In 2008, electricity demand in the province reached a peak of 24,195 megawatts (MW) on June 9th. The 2007 peak of 25,737 MW occurred on June 26th. This 1,542 MW drop in demand is equivalent to 40% of the total capacity of the gigantic Nanticoke coal-fired power plant.

Ontario's summer peak electricity demand is now at its lowest level since 2004 when it peaked at 23,976 MW. The drop in demand was due to a combination of a cool summer, the downturn in our economy and energy conservation. According to Hydro One, for example, approximately one-third of the drop in its demand was due to cooler weather.

The Ontario Clean Air Alliance will be presenting Peak Buster Awards to seven southern Ontario electric utilities and the Northern York Region municipalities that beat the provincial average by achieving demand reductions of 6.12% to 25.02% at the time of the province-wide system peak.

Peak Buster Award Winners

Demand on June 9, 2008 at 3 PM (MW)

Demand on June 26, 2007 at 4 PM (MW)

Change (%)

16.392

21.861

-25.02

3254.00

3728.00

-12.71

40.060

45.868

-12.66

273.109

313

-12.65

314.4

354

-11.19

131.198

146.580

-10.49

981.702

1054.272

-6.88

37.752

40.212

-6.12

* For electric power planning purposes the Ontario Power Authority has defined Northern York Region to be the communities served by Newmarket's Armitage Transformer Station, namely, Newmarket, Aurora, Whitchurch-Stouffville, East Gwillimbury, King Township and Bradford-West Gwillimbury.