MARQUETTE -- With the heat wave in effect over the area, plenty of people are turning on the air conditioner, which means more power consumption.
The Marquette Board of Light and Power is expecting a 20 percent increase in the normal power usage from Wednesday's hot weather. They put on additional generators to service the added demand load.
The Shiras Plant also has a backup combustion turbine in standby for emergency use during peak conditions, but they're not expecting to use it.
"We do not expect our peak to reach our previous all-time peak of 2007," said Board of Light and Power Superintendent John Reynolds. "Part of that is due to the economy and part of it's due to our energy optimization program that has helped to reduce load. So we're in very good condition."
The energy optimization program provides incentives like rebates on CFL bulbs.
With the increased demand for electrical power, the plant has the capability to purchase power off the grid if necessary.
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