50,000 customers now without power

Toronto Hydro Asks Customers to Conserve Energy While Crews Work to Repair the System

TORONTO, July 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (Toronto Hydro) is asking all customers to conserve electricity while crews work to restore power to remaining customers. Approximately 20,000 customers still remain without power in the areas bounded by Dundas Street South to Valermo Drive; The West Mall East to Stephen Drive, and Ormskirk Avenue south to The Queensway; South Kingsway East to Windermere Avenue. In addition, due to a Hydro One request to reduce load we have involuntarily removed supply to an additional 30,000 customers to keep the system stabilized. These customers are in the west end area of the city.

The main issue remains a lack of supply from a Hydro One station in Toronto that is out of service due to flooding. Hydro One has advised power is expected to be restored by tomorrow morning.

Toronto Hydro will activate peaksaver PLUS for approximately 70,000 customers to help manage demand and alleviate stress on the system. By participating, thousands of Torontonians are helping to reduce strain on the electricity grid during peak periods.

In response to the increased demand for electricity, Toronto Hydro is adjusting its air conditioning thermostats to operate two degrees warmer and at minimum levels in unoccupied areas.  In addition, all non-essential lighting is being turned off.

Here are some tips to help bring Torontonians back online:

• Turn off all non-essential lighting.
• Set air conditioner thermostats at 25 C and raise the setting even higher if you're not going to be home.
• Close curtains and blinds to keep out the hot summer sun.
• Cook outdoors on the barbeque or use a microwave oven.
• Save other heat-producing activities such as clothes drying and dishwashing for cooler evening hours.  Wait until 8 p.m.
• Businesses should keep their doors closed when air conditioners are running.

Visit the Toronto Hydro website for more tips on how to conserve torontohydro.com/smartsummer

Customers who do not live in the west end and are without power should call our Lights Out line at 416-542-8000 to report their outage.

SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation

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