Alberta sets new record for peak electricity use amid extreme cold snap

The Alberta Energy System Operator says it is constantly monitoring energy demand in the province and will take steps to prevent a level 3 alert situation, which would lead to blackouts in some areas.

EDMONTON — Alberta set a new peak electricity consumption record on one of the coldest days of the year so far, according to the province's power grid operator.

Consumption across the province hit 11,698 megawatts Tuesday evening, the Alberta Electric System Operator said in a tweet.

That surpasses the previous record set in 2018 by just one megawatt.

Despite the record-breaking power usage, grid conditions remained stable and AESO did not issue any energy emergency alerts like the night prior.

AESO moved to a level 2 alert Monday night because so much electricity was being used, the operator had to tap energy reserve to meet demands.

Electricity consumption hits peak hours between 5-7 p.m. every night, and AESO recommends limiting use during this period.

Tuesday was the coldest day of the year so far for many Alberta communities including Edmonton, where temperatures plunged to a low of -34C, and Calgary, which hit a low of -31.2.

Extreme Cold Warnings covering all of Alberta were issued by Environment Canada for another consecutive day Wednesday.

Temperatures in Edmonton were set to once again fall to -30 during the day, with a wind chill of up to -48. The weather agency warned that frostbite can occur within minutes of exposure.

There's good news in the forecast though. Alberta's capital will see temperatures climb to -24 by the end of the week before dramatically spiking to -4 Sunday, with a possible high of 4 on Monday.