The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising the public to decrease their electricity usage.
In a release, the company noted that it recorded its highest-ever consumer electricity demand of 1400.2 megawatts (MW) on Thursday August 24, 2023.
Acknowledging that T&T is currently experiencing increasingly high temperatures, which causes the population to increase usage of air conditioning (AC) units, it stated that the increase in electricity demand also increases the natural gas usage.
In statement on Wednesday morning, it advised the public to practise electricity conservation, such as;
– Raising the temperature on AC units by a few degrees to minimise the load and use fans to maintain comfort (every degree of cooling increases energy use by six to eight percent).
– Shielding the sun by closing window coverings like blinds and curtains to shield the sun’s rays so that the AC unit does not work harder to keep the home cool.
– Reducing water heating by lowering the temperature on tank water heaters or turning them off for one or two days; most outdoor water storage tanks will be sufficiently heated by the sun. Avoid using hot water for laundry and doing dishes.
– Unplugging appliances when not in use to prevent energy wastage. Turning off the ceiling fan and/or lights before leaving rooms to help lower energy usage. Common energy wasters include gaming consoles (e.g. Xbox, PS5), stereo systems, personal computers and desktop printers, and TVs. If these must remain plugged in, ensure they are in energy-saving mode.
– Using efficient lighting by switching to energy-efficient LEDs, which consume significantly less electricity and generate less heat.