Public health comes first, Hydro-Quebec says in terms of electricity consumption

Hydro-Québec expects record electricity consumption in the coming days due to the arctic cold snap and is asking residents to save, but states that health instructions take precedence.

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On Friday, the state institution responded to statements by Quebec opposition parties that mocked the fact that some teachers are forced to ventilate their classrooms by opening windows, despite this call to save energy.

“We are freezing, Hydro-Québec is asking us to reduce our electricity consumption, but in schools we will keep the windows wide open and heat the outside because the education minister doesn’t want to install air purifiers. Find out what’s wrong,” quipped education spokeswoman Christine LaBrie on Twitter.

It is clear that public health comes first. Hydro-Québec’s response Our proposed actions should be carried out to the maximum extent possible. The good news is that most of the time students spend in school is off-peak periods, which are from 6 AM to 9 AM, and from 4 PM to 8 PM in the evening.

However, Quebecers are encouraged to reduce their electricity consumption throughout Friday and on Saturday mornings.

To do this, Hydro-Québec recommended reducing heating by one to two degrees Celsius, especially in unoccupied rooms, and deferring or reducing the use of major household appliances, especially the clothes dryer and dishwasher.

“Hydro-Québec recognizes that the current situation, due to the fact that many people are working from home, makes this process difficult for some, but it reminds us that every little gesture counts,” he said Thursday.

On the same day, Environment Canada issued a severe cold alert to several areas in La Belle County that is expected to last through Saturday.