Electricity usage drops in Ramadan as working hours reduced

AMMAN — Electricity consumption has dropped 8 per cent since the start of the fasting month of Ramadan due to shorter working hours, according to the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO).

The relatively moderate weather has also led to the drop in power consumption, as the load on the grid tends to rise during hot weather.

"People's lifestyle changes during Ramadan. Working hours during the fasting month, which started last Monday, are reduced at institutions and industries, while the majority of restaurants close their doors during the day,” said  NEPCO's Operations Department Director Amin Zaghel.

“As a result, the load on the power grid usually drops in Ramadan by 150 megawatts," Zaghel told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

Despite the fair weather which has prevailed since Thursday, temperatures are forecast to increase starting Monday, when the country will be affected by a relatively hot air mass, according to the Jordan Meteorological Department.

Temperatures are expected to rise three to four degrees above the annual average, reaching 34°C and 35°C on Monday and Tuesday respectively, according to the department's website.

The government has announced that working hours in public institutions will be 10am to 3pm during Ramadan.

"Usually, the average daily consumption of electricity stands at 2,550 megawatts, but during Ramadan it drops to 2,400 megawatts," Zaghel said.