What we can do to reduce the load

Media release
10 February 2017

The NSW Government is calling on everyone in the community to play their part in helping to reduce expected demand for energy during the heatwave today.

While we are expecting demand to peak at between 4:30pm and 6:30pm, we are asking consumers and businesses to do what they can to help take the pressure off the electricity system this afternoon.

“We want people to be safe and to keep out of the heat but we also want people to consider their energy use, particularly during the expected period of peak demand between 4:30pm and 6:30pm,” a Department of Industry spokesperson said.

“Government will reduce its energy use to ensure we are all doing our bit.”

Domestic consumers can do their bit to reduce the load by:

• Switching off air conditioning except for occupied spaces and where the thermostat temperature is set at 26ºC or the maximum thermostat setting
• Switching off unused or unnecessary interior or exterior lighting·
• Switching off  any unused appliance or accessory in standby mode, including unused TVs, videos, stereos, computers, microwaves, battery chargers and portable power supplies.
• Switching off water pumps for swimming pools or spas.

Businesses including commercial and industrial facilities can do their bit to reduce the load by not using electricity in commercial premises, other than those providing health care, aged care, short-term accommodation services or food/beverage services, for:

• cooling, air conditioning or other environmental control of unoccupied spaces
• Interior space lighting of unoccupied spaces, except for minimum lighting for security and safety
• Interior space lighting of occupied spaces, except for up to 50% of normal interior space lighting while spaces are occupied and minimum lighting for security and safety
• advertising and exterior lighting, except for minimum lighting for security and safety.

“It’s still important that people do what they need to do to stay safe in the heat but where possible we ask that they consider their energy use carefully and only use essential equipment, particularly during the late afternoon.

“The Government will be talking with AEMO and the energy companies throughout the day and should any further action be taken we will make sure that the energy companies inform their customers, and we will update the community as we know more.”

Source: NSW Department of Industry