A heatwave, combined with low water conditions and population growth, is ramping up electrical use across the region.

BOISE, Idaho — Multiple days of triple-digit heat around the West are straining the regional energy grid as air conditioners and irrigation systems work overtime. Idaho Power is preparing for increased demand for energy as the area experiences sustained near-record temperatures in addition to unprecedented growth. The company is asking customers to help.

Idaho Power is asking customers who can safely do so to reduce their energy use from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. over the next several days. Conserving energy during these hours of highest demand, and when solar power is fading, can help prevent reliability issues due to the region-wide strain on the grid. The potential impacts of the heatwave are intensified this year due to drought and a shortage of regional transmission connections outside our system to move energy where it’s needed.

Idaho Power offers the following tips:

• As comfort allows, turn your thermostat up a few degrees so the A/C isn’t working quite so hard.
• Barbecue, microwave or use a pressure cooker, instead of using an electric range or oven.
• Close doors, windows and blinds during the late afternoon when the sun is still heating up the house.
• Power down devices (computers, tablets, TVs and gaming systems), and have a screen-free evening.
• Use lights in occupied rooms only (if needed), and keep the fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
• Save the dishes and laundry for the morning.
• Avoid irrigating or running the sprinklers during these hours, shifting to morning or night if possible.

For more energy-saving tips to help lighten the energy load, visit idahopower.com/save. To stay in the know in case outages do occur, sign up for outage alerts ahead of time with My Account.

About Idaho Power
Idaho Power, headquartered in vibrant and fast-growing Boise, Idaho, has been a locally operated energy company since 1916. Today, it serves a 24,000-square-mile area in Idaho and Oregon. The company’s goal to provide 100% clean energy by 2045 builds on its long history as a clean-energy leader that provides reliable service at affordable prices. With 17 low-cost hydroelectric projects at the core of its diverse energy mix, Idaho Power’s residential, business and agricultural customers pay among the nation’s lowest prices for electricity. Its 2,000 employees proudly serve more than 590,000 customers with a culture of safety first, integrity always and respect for all.

IDACORP Inc. (NYSE: IDA), Idaho Power’s independent publicly traded parent company, is also headquartered in Boise, Idaho. To learn more, visit idahopower.com or idacorpinc.com.

Contact:
Sven Berg
Communications Specialist
Idaho Power
208-388-2905 and sberg@idahopower.com