The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) (TASE: ELEC.B22) has warned that because of the shortage of electricity and the heat wave currently affecting the region, it is planning initiating rolling hour-long blackouts throughout the country over the next week.
The IEC said yesterday that until Thursday of next week, "Due to the expected heat wave and air temperatures of 36° and 50-60% humidity, the temperature will actually reach 46° for a couple of days."
The announcement added, "The forecast for electricity demand is 11,500 megawatts and reserves will be reduced to a level that might result in demand that is higher than supply (electricity shortfall) and in such an instance there could be a breakdown in one of the production units."
The IEc continued that in the event of higher demand than supply, "IEC will be forced to halt electricity intermittently throughout the country and power outages will last for an hour. These will be local and divided between all the company's customers. IEC apologizes ahead of time over the hardships that will be caused to the public and customers."
The IEC asks consumers to reduce use of items that use a lot of electricity during peak hours (midday to 5pm). This refers to dishwashers, washing machines, ovens, hobs, vacuum cleaners. It is recommended to set air conditioners to 25°.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 11, 2012
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