6th all-time highest Summer-Demand Record achieved; Extra crews and ample resources available to address heat-related outages
(Uniondale, N.Y.) The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) today announced that after overnight calculations, the adjusted peak usage of 5,552 Megawatts (MW) for Monday, July 15th, was the 6th all-time highest load achieved for the LIPA system. Last year the peak load was achieved on June 21, 2012 at 5,505 MW.
LIPA continues to monitor the weather forecast which continues to call for hot and humid temperatures exceeding 90 degrees through Saturday afternoon. While LIPA has more than sufficient capacity to meet our customers’ needs, excessive heat and the resulting high demand for electricity can place an unusual strain on electrical equipment that may cause localized outages.
Should localized outages occur, LIPA has extra crews available to restore power in a quick and safe manner. In addition all supplies and materials such as pole top transformers and fuses have been fully stocked and are available to make any necessary repairs for heat-related outages.
While LIPA has sufficient supply to meet demand, we remind customers to use energy wisely in order to better manage their utility bills.
To use energy efficiently during periods of high heat and humidity, LIPA customers should:
- Put air conditioners on timers, don’t let them run when not at home;
- Set air conditioners at 78 degrees;
- Use fans to circulate cool air, which helps cut air conditioner use;
- Set refrigerators and freezers at most efficient temperatures; and
- Run major appliances such as clothes and dishwashers in the morning or late evening to avoid the peak demand hours of 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
High temperatures and high electric demand can sometimes cause scattered heat-related outages. LIPA advises that conserving electricity will help reduce the potential for outages. Customers who experience an outage should call 1-800- 490-0075 or can visit LIPA’s storm center online at http://www.lipower.org/stormcenter/
LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric provider, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA is the 2nd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, 3rd largest in terms of customers served and the 7th largest in terms of electricity delivered. In 2011, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State for frequency and duration of service interruptions. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at http://www.lipower.org.
