Alberta's power grid operator issues energy emergency alert

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The province’s power grid operator asked Albertans to conserve energy on Wednesday as it leaned on reserves to balance the system.

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The Alberta Electric System Operator issued a Level 2 energy emergency alert asking the province to conserve energy between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“This is due to unplanned loss in generation. Reserves are balancing the power system. Supply continues to meet demand,” it said on Twitter Wednesday afternoon.

This is the second time this month the AESO has needed to rely on reserve power. A Level 2 alert was issued July 7 because of “unplanned generator outages, low wind and a reduction of import capability,” AESO said on Twitter at the time.

Electricity usage in Alberta was high Wednesday evening amid a heat wave prompting Environment Canada to issue heat warnings for most of the province.

Usage hit 11,307 megawatts at 3 p.m., lower than the record set last month, but still higher than the previous summer peak in 2018.

lboothby@postmedia.com

@laurby