Wiregrass Electric Activates Load Control Event

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Jan 29 2019 4:59 PM

HARTFORD, Alabama — With temperatures expected to drop below freezing, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative is asking members to help conserve electricity early Wednesday morning. PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, WEC’s wholesale energy supplier, has issued a load control event for Wednesday from 6-8 a.m.

WEC asks members to also conserve energy during these hours. Your assistance will help WEC avoid exceeding its peak demand for energy. “Peak represents the highest demand for electricity, and it’s what our wholesale power supplier uses to determine the amount of electricity they must be prepared to provide us during the year,” explains Brad Kimbro, WEC’s chief operating officer.

“Setting a high peak causes our wholesale power prices to be higher, which in turn causes higher electric bills the following year.” WEC will make temporary adjustments at its substations to help contain costs as much as possible. The biggest impact, however, can come from members. “We are asking for our members’ help in holding down power costs,” says Kimbro.

“By using electricity more efficiently during the peak hours on Wednesday, members can help themselves by helping the Wiregrass Electric system use less power.” During the hours of 6-8 a.m. on Wednesday, members are asked to consider ways they can use less electricity:

• Set your thermostat to 68 degrees instead of the common 72 degrees or higher.

• Take showers the night before, if possible, to avoid extensive use of water heaters.

• Likewise, run your dishwasher and washing machine the night before, later in the morning or in the afternoon.

• Limit the use of TVs — especially large, flat-screen units — gaming consoles, computers and unnecessary lighting.

“We want to make sure everyone understands that Wiregrass Electric will have the capacity to meet this region’s energy needs no matter how much electricity our homes and businesses demand,” says Kimbro. “But by working together on these cold mornings, we can limit the peak demand and hold down wholesale power costs for everyone.”

For more information, visit WEC’s website at wiregrass.coop/conserve/peak-demand. “I want our members to know that Wiregrass Electric appreciates their efforts to help us control peak demand,” Kimbro says. “Hopefully, it will be a long time before we see such extreme temperatures again.”

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