Power consumption record set as temperature soars in Alberta

Thursday's soaring afternoon heat resulted in Albertans setting a new summertime record for power consumption.

As of 5 p.m.,10,520megawatts of electricity was used in the province, according tothe Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO).

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A new record is usually set every summer as Alberta's population increases.

Summer peak demand was previously set at 10,419 MW on July 30 last year, AESO says. In thelast three yearsthe peak was reached in late July.

AESO says there is adequate supply to meet demand so there is no formal call for people to cut back on their power use.

Heat advisory

Continued high temperatures have prompted Alberta Health Services to issue a heat advisory for the Calgary area.

AHS is advising people to protect themselves from the potentially harmful effects of the sun, such as heat stroke, exhaustion and burns.

Health officials suggest:

• Do outdoor activities in the cooler hours of the day.
• Take frequent breaks from the heat.
• Drink lots of water.
• Monitorforsymptomsofheatstroke,includinghighbodytemperature,lackofsweat,disorientation andfainting.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Use sunscreen of at least SPF 30 at least 20 minutes before going outside.

"Normalactivitythatmaybesafeonacooldaymightbedangerousincurrentweatherconditions.Ifyoustarttofeel overheated,stopyouractivityimmediately,seekshadeanddrinkfluids," saidDr.BrentFriesen, medicalofficerof health for the Calgary Zone.