By Scott Roblin

Medicine Hat weathering provincial power demand

Jul 28, 2017 | 5:05 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – As a heat wave continues to hang over Medicine Hat, a provincial power consumption record has been shattered.

It’s the third time this month the record has fallen, with the previous mark being smashed by over 300 megawatts.

The Alberta Electric System Operator reported on Thursday evening a consumption mark of 10,852 megawatts, which is easily the highest recorded summer mark in the province’s history.

AESO Public Affairs Manager Tara de Weerd said that’s quite the jump for July.

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“You’d certainly see over 10,000 megawatts, but not into the 10,800 territory,” said de Weerd. “So, just looking back five years, this is certainly a higher consumption pattern than normal.”

Locally, many are keeping their fans and air conditioners plugged in due to the sweltering conditions throughout July.

Electric Utility Operations Superintendent Josh Gale said a local consumption record was almost reached this week.

“On July 27th, we had a peak demand of 171 megawatts, and that’s about four megawatts short of our record demand that was set two years ago.”

No power outages due to the increase in consumer demand have been reported in Medicine Hat this summer.

In Medicine Hat, the local power plant isn’t stretched to its limits and is generating more than enough electricity for the city.

Around 170 megawatts have been consumed daily with the July average usually being around 160 megawatts.

This however is a far cry from the 190 daily megawatt capacity of the Medicine Hat power plant.

And by having the capacity to generate extra power, Gale said it creates the potential for a significant monetary boost to the city.

“The Alberta energy market is a minute-by-minute market. So, if we have excess capacity at this particular point in time and the price is favourable, we will be dispatched to export that. So, we do that on a constant, real-time basis.”

Although the City has been able to sell power this year, there is no word on the exact amount.

Temperatures are expected to hang around the 35 degree range well into next week, which means more records could fall in the coming days.