Canberrans have been encouraged to take the strain off the ACT's electricity supply on Friday and Saturday as temperatures are tipped to reach 41 degrees.
ACT emergency services joined climate change and sustainability minister Shane Rattenbury's calls for lowering power usage in homes and businesses, but reminded people to still take appropriate precautions for their safety and comfort.
The Australian Energy Market Operator warned of the potential high demand across the NSW network because of the heat and the ACT government has told Canberrans this could lead to minor blackouts across the capital.
Spokesperson for the AEMO Stuart Allott said the weekend would be easier with most industrial businesses shutting down but it was Friday afternoon, when people returned home and turned on their air conditioning, that would be the operator's main focus.
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"Before you go to work, turn off what you sensibly can and during the day think about whether you need to be using electrical equipment," Mr Rattenbury said in a statement on Thursday.
"We're not talking [turning off] air conditioning here, people need to stay cool," he told the ABC on Friday morning.
Part of the tips for reducing demand included setting the airconditioning at 26 degrees rather than the lowest setting possible, which Mr Allott said would better moderate power supply.
"Little changes in behaviour can have a pretty significant impact on the grid," Mr Allott said.
The advise comes as South Australia has faced a series of blackouts over the last six months.
The ACT government provided tips for reducing household electricity demand.
Tips for residents to reduce electricity include:
- turn off electrical appliances if not in use during the day
- turn off unnecessary residential lighting
- restrict use of air conditioning (set temperature to 26 degrees or higher)
- minimise use of cooking equipment
- consolidate refrigeration and turn off unnecessary fridges
- avoid use of dishwashers, clothes dryers, vacuum cleaners & second TV
- turn off domestic pool pumping and heating operation for the day
- avoid use of TVs or computers for game purposes
Tips for businesses to reduce electricity include:
- limit the use of air conditioners to occupied spaces only and setting the thermostat to no less than 26 degrees
- turn off unnecessary interior lighting, particularly in unoccupied spaces
- turn off advertising lighting and any unnecessary exterior lighting
- turn off heating appliances for swimming pools or spas
- turn off appliances usually left in standby mode – including TVs, DVDs, videos, stereos, computers, microwave ovens, battery chargers and portable power supplies
- turn off computer hard drives and screens and only using 50 per cent or one of each type of other compliance, such as phones and faxes
- turn off water heating systems and urns during the hours of 6am and 11pm, except for food and beverage preparation and cleaning
A total fire ban was declared across the ACT for Friday and Saturday, with a severe fire danger warning as several sports clubs activated heat policies for the weekend.
The Showtime in the City event was also cancelled on Saturday, with only Friday evening's event running.
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