‘Power grid registers record high of 2,715MW on Sunday’

AMMAN — The electricity load on the country’s power grid on Sunday registered a record high of 2,715 megawatts (MW) since summer began, according to an official at the National Power Company (NEPCO).

During this time last year, the electricity load was 2,650MW, NEPCO Operations Department Director Amin Zaghel told The Jordan Times on Sunday.
Zaghel said he doesn’t expect the load on the power grid to exceed the maximum capacity during Ramadan unless the country witnesses hot spells like the current heatwave.

He explained that people’s consumption patterns, daily lifestyle and shorter working hours during the fasting month cause electricity demand to drop.

“As the heatwave will continue during the week, the load on the power grid is expected to remain around the maximum load and start dropping as the temperatures drop,” Zaghel said over the phone.

He underscored that no power outages occurred despite the soaring demand on electricity.

During heatwaves, the load on the power grid increases, often causing outages. However, the fact that the hot spell started on Friday and peaked on Saturday gave electricity officials some comfort.

Meanwhile, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said that the impact of the heatwave, which pushed temperatures six degrees above their annual average of 32°C during this time of year, is expected to gradually abate as of Tuesday.

The highest temperatures during the hot spell, which is caused by a hot and dry air mass originating from the Arabian Peninsula, were recorded on Saturday, reaching 44°C in Aqaba, 43°C in the Jordan Valley and 38°C in the capital.

The JMD warned the public against exposure to sunlight during the heatwave, especially around noon, to avoid sun stroke.

On Monday, hot and dry weather is expected across the country, with temperatures in Amman reaching 37°C during the day and dropping to 23°C at night, a JMD meteorologist told The Jordan Times.

A drop in temperatures is forecast for Tuesday, but the weather will remain hot and dry. Mercury levels in the capital will range between a maximum of 34°C and a minimum of 20°C, according to the meteorologist.

A further drop in temperatures is expected on Wednesday, when mercury levels will be around the annual average during this time of the year. Daytime temperatures in Amman will reach a high of 33°C, dropping to a low of 20°C overnight.