Hydro-Québec wishes to remind customers that the most effective steps to take are the following: 


•       reduce heating by 2 degrees in occupied rooms; 
•       reduce lighting to a basic minimum; 
•       restrict the use of hot water; 
•       avoid using dishwashers, washing machines and dryers.                                  
  
At 4:00 p.m. today, anticipated electrical energy demand was already considerably above the historical peak of 34,989 MW recorded on January 22, 2003. The forecast demand is as follows:


•       Wednesday morning   35,900 MW 
•       Wednesday evening    36,500 MW 
•       Thursday morning       36,500 MW 
•       Thursday evening        37,300 MW 
•       Friday morning            36,700 MW 

It is expected that on Wednesday temperatures will drop below 30 degrees Celsius and that the cold weather will be accompanied by 15 to 20 kph winds, while on Thursday, wind force will vary between 15 and 25 kph. It should be mentioned that over the past 60 years Quebec has only experienced three instances of such cold temperatures over two consecutive days.

Hydro-Québec has been working on the Micoua-Laurentides transmission line from the Manic-Outardes complex in order to enhance its reliability, but has not yet fully completed the work. This means that it will not be as running at its usual level of reliability. The extreme weather conditions expected over the next days and the increase in Québec electrical energy demand mean that the Corporation will be taking every possible precaution. 

Thus Hydro-Québec will be making its own contribution by reducing the level of heating and lighting in all its Québec facilities and the Head Office logo will be shut off.

Hydro-Québec is sincerely grateful to the population for its valued cooperation and will keep the public informed of any new developments.