Lockdown has flattened peak of morning electricity demand

Head of generation Jon Sexton said levels of usage seen were higher compared with the first local lockdown in 2020, which could be put down to the colder weather.

But one similarity to the last lockdown was the change to the morning switch-on period.

‘Guernsey Electricity has been collecting data for many years so can estimate the likely demand with a reasonable level of accuracy,’ said Mr Sexton.

‘Unlike the lockdown which occurred in spring to early summer of 2020, we are generally experiencing higher levels of electricity usage, which can be attributed to these colder temperatures.

‘The effect of this could potentially mask any changes that result from many businesses having closed temporarily and having employees working from home.

‘Since the current restrictions came into force on 23 January, demand has been marginally higher compared with the same period 12 months ago as a result of the colder weather. We expect this increase to have been even greater without lockdown.’

He continued: ‘Last month’s total and peak supply were higher compared to last January and so far this month, the highest to date is 14.6MW above February 2020.

‘The demand for this month is also expected to be greater than the same month last year.

‘In contrast, the first lockdown period saw electricity consumption fall by 10% – through the introduction of remote working with schools and some businesses closing – which is attributable to the warmer spring weather we experienced.

‘The similarities we are seeing are in the morning peaks.

‘The “switch on” period, which peaks around 9am each day, has once again been flattened from its usual pattern for this time of year with islanders staying at home and businesses not opening to turn on lights, computers, heating or air conditioning.’