Report On Ontario Winter Peak Demand

This winter's average 20 minute peak demand for electricity in Ontario was 23,428 megawatts set January 17 at about 5 p.m. during maximum heating and lighting load conditions. This is a 0.005 per cent increase from the 1998/99 winter. The peak demand for all of last year was 23,435 megawatts set July 5, the first time in history Ontario's summer peak demand exceeded winter. This reflects increased use of air conditioners during the summer months. The all-time peak demand of just over 24,000 megawatts was set during a bitterly cold period in January, 1994. The average peak residential demand for homes not electrically heated is about three kilowatts (one megawatt equals 1,000 kilowatts, one kilowatt is the electricity demand of ten 100 watt light bulbs).