LIPA Has Adequate Resources to Meet Demand
Customers Should Use Electricity Efficiently to Keep Bills Down as the Heat Goes
Up
Garden City, NY – July 9, 2007 – As Long Island enters a two-day period of
high temperatures and humidity, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) reminds
its customers to use electricity efficiently as a way to conserve energy and
keep bills down.
LIPA CEO and President Richard M. Kessel said that LIPA has 6,460 Megawatts
(MW) of electricity available this week to meet the projected peak demand
forecast for today and tomorrow of about 5,000 MW.
With a supply margin of approximately 1,400 MW more than anticipated peak
demand for the next two days, LIPA will have more than an adequate power supply
to meet demand. Mr. Kessel noted that LIPA has added some 1,860 MW of new supply
in the past few years, including the newly commissioned Neptune cable that can
carry 660MWs of power. He noted that while supplies are sufficient, customers
should use electricity efficiently to help keep bills down as the temperatures
go up.
“We’re in very good shape with our supply, and the transmission and
distribution system is in excellent condition too,” said Mr. Kessel. “But, it’s
always a good to use electricity efficiently and not squander our resources.
“Should we have any heat-related outages on circuits that experience an
increase in demand from previous years, we have a well-trained and highly
experienced work force that will be ready to get customers back in service as
quickly as possible,” Mr. Kessel said. “Doing little things to conserve can add
up to significant savings, especially during the peak demand hours that run from
2PM to 8PM on most summer days.”
Overall, LIPA will have as much a 6,830 MWs of supply from all on- and
off-island resources to meet demand this summer. During extended periods of
extreme heat and high humidity, LIPA anticipates that peak summer demand could
reach 5,963 MWs, which would exceed last year’s peak summer record of 5,792 MWs
that was set on August 3. Last year’s peak demand exceeded the previous year’s
demand by 525 MWs, a 10 percent jump, which was the largest year-to-year
increase in Long Island’s history.
To use energy efficiently during periods of high heat and humidity, LIPA
customers should:
- Minimize the use of non-essential electric consumption;
- 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.
“Using electricity wisely saves resources, saves money and saves the
environment,” said Mr. Kessel. “Everyone can ‘go green’ today by being more
energy efficient.”
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.
Additional energy efficiency tips can be obtained from LIPA's Web site,
www.lipower.org, or by calling its Energy Infoline at 1-800-692-2626. |
