HAMILTON, Ontario, March 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Earth Hour 2018 saw tens of thousands Alectra Utilities’ customers, in the 15 communities served by the electric utility, indicate their willingness to help fight climate change by turning off their lights for 60 minutes to reduce electricity consumption.
Alectra Utilities’ System Control Centres reported a service territory-wide 1.5% per cent electricity consumption reduction between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday*. This is the second time Alectra Utilities has calculated Earth Hour results for its service territory since the company was formed early 2017.
The 2018 results represented a total savings of 43 megawatts (MW) in peak demand, or enough electricity to power 1,314 average-size homes over a 24-hour period
.
The reductions achieved per community in 2018 were as follows:
| Community | % Reduction* | MW Reduction* |
| Aurora | 4.1 | 2.15 |
| Barrie | 0.9 | 1.08 |
| Bradford West Gwillimbury (Bradford) | 5.4 | 1.27 |
| Brampton | 1.2 | 4.74 |
| Essa (Thornton) | 17.4 | 0.17 |
| Hamilton | 1.3 | 6.21 |
| Markham | 0.9 | 1.63 |
| Mississauga | 0.8 | 6.77 |
| New Tecumseth (Alliston, Beeton, Tottenham) | 3.9 | 1.27 |
| Penetanguishene | 1.7 | 0.15 |
| Richmond Hill | 3.1 | 4.39 |
| St. Catharines | 1.7 | 1.54 |
| Vaughan | 3.6 | 12.0 |
| Alectra Service Territory | 1.5 | 43.37 |
* In comparison to a typical consumption pattern normally experienced on a similar type of day, taking into consideration hour of the day, time of year and weather).
About Alectra Utilities Corporation
Alectra Utilities Corporation serves approximately one million customers across a 1,800 sq. km service territory and 15 communities including Alliston, Aurora, Barrie, Beeton, Brampton, Bradford, Hamilton, Markham, Mississauga, Penetanguishene, Richmond Hill, St. Catharines, Thornton, Tottenham and Vaughan. It is part of the Alectra family of companies, which also includes Alectra Inc. (Mississauga, Ontario) and Alectra Energy Solutions Inc. (Vaughan, Ontario).
Media Contact:
Rachel Bertone, Media Spokesperson
rachel.bertone@alectrautilities.com | Telephone: 647.339.3826 | 24/7 Media Line: 1.833.MEDIALN