City power plant keeping up with demand during heat wave

But Boyd Mostoway, the director of Medicine Hat Power and Water for the City of Medicine Hat, says the increased demand isn’t a problem.

“The demand during the hot weather like this has been relatively the same as it was last year,” he says.

Mostoway says the system is capable of handling more demand as well, with the addition of Unit 17 earlier this year.

“We do have the capability in case more business comes to town, more people add things to their houses,” explains Mostoway.

The city generates more electricity that it needs, which is then sold onto the Alberta Electric System Operators grid.

Prices have been strong for that excess power, and those prices have increased as demand from elsewhere in the province increases.

Mostoway notes prices for power sold on the grid have fetched as much as $800 per megawatt, which is a boost for the bottom line for the City of Medicine Hat.

by Brian Konrad

City power plant keeping up with demand during heat wave

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