SaskPower says as temperatures across Saskatchewan rise above 30 degrees Celsius, so does the province’s demand for electricity.

Should demand increase further, after setting a record for electricity consumption this week, SaskPower also has adequate power reserves throughout the peak hours to deal with a continued heatwave.

On July 13, at 5:22 p.m., SaskPower’s new summer demand record for electricity was 3,551 megawatts.

Some suggestions from SaskPower to reduce the heat in your home and cut back on electricity use include: ensuring your air conditioner and furnace are operating as efficiently as possible by having this equipment inspected routinely by a licensed professional; consider investing in a programmable or smart thermostat; close blinds and windows during the day; delay activities that produce heat and moisture, such as dishwashing or laundry, until later in the day or into the evening when temperatures are cooler.

The previous record was set on June 30 of last year and was 3,547 MW. The difference of 4 MW is the equivalent of approximately 4,000 average Saskatchewan homes. The all-time demand record of 3,910 MW was set on December 30, 2021.