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June 24 (Reuters) - New York-based utility Con Edison
has asked customers to conserve energy during the ongoing
heatwave, adding that it has reduced voltage by 8% in parts of
eastern Brooklyn to protect equipment and keep power flowing as
crews carry out repairs.
Meteorologists at AccuWeather forecast that high
temperatures in New York City, the largest city in the United
States, could reach up to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees
Celsius) on Tuesday.
As temperatures soar, the widespread use of air conditioners
by homes and businesses puts extra strain on the power grid,
increasing the risk of outages.
The heatwave, meanwhile, boosted power prices in some
regions to their highest since January.
Next-day power prices in New England jumped
about 17% to around $189 per megawatt hour for Tuesday, while
spot power at the PJM West hub remained over
$200 for a second day in a row.
That compares with an average of $81 per MWh in New England
so far this year and $47 in calendar 2024, and an average of $56
in PJM so far this year and $42 in calendar 2024.