The goal of Earth Hour every year is to raise awareness of climate change by lowering the number of lights on around the world. At 8:30 p.m. on March 28, people are encouraged to shut off all their lights and electronic devices, in order to raise awareness of just how much energy they use day to day.
This year, SaskPower will be joining the charge, with all non-essential lights being turned off at their facilities throughout the province. Janson Anderson with SaskPower says it’s their goal to both support Earth Hour and encourage people to think more efficiently in general.
“In addition to supporting Earth Hour, it’s important to encourage customers, both residential and business, to conserve power every day, we do that through different power saving programs and tips.”
SaskPower has seen success through those power saving initiatives, and Anderson estimates that 90 megawatts of power have been saved thanks to various initiatives, which he says is roughly equivalent to a small power plant.
Since 2008, Saskatchewan residents have bought 1,373,471 energy-efficient light bulbs and strings in more than 270 communities, saved 5.5 megawatts of power by participating in commercial lighting incentives, recycled 27,895 appliances through the Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program and replaced 208,370 incandescent Christmas lightbulbs with LEDs through the Municipal Seasonal Lighting Program.
“We’ve seen some very strong customer participation in the programs we do offer.”
Saskatchewan tends to see very little power impact during Earth Hour year over year, but Anderson says that doesn’t mean the province is not on board with the project. Given that we are a cold weather climate in March, heating is going to be one of the primary causes for power usage, for example. He says that while Earth Hour might not have a big decline, the province as a whole is becoming more efficient in day to day power usage.
“You may not be able to see an actual decline in consumption during that hour, but I’d flip it around and say without conservation and efficiency, we would see overall power usage grow.”
This year will also see SaskPower focus on lights, encouraging the purchase of LED lighting in the spring lighting program. Anderson says that the lights use 80 per cent less power and last 25 times longer than the average incandescent bulb.
“Up to 25 per cent of the power used in your home comes from lighting, and upgrading to more efficient lighting can help you save on your power bill.”
Otherwise, Anderson says that it’s the basics that can conserve power, like turning off unused lights and unused electronics.
Anderson encourages people to go to saskpower.com to find energy saving tips.
