California governor urges residents to limit power use as THOUSANDS in San Fran area without power

Californians were asked Tuesday evening to sharply curtail their energy use as the region struggles with widespread power outages due to the extreme heat – and 525,000 customers are warned that they too could be without power.

Sacramento was sweltering in 111-degree heat and San Jose in 98F temperatures.

Residents cranking up the air conditioning were placing immense strain on the power grid, and the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, asked all to reduce their consumption at peak hours.

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), which provides California’s power, said on Tuesday afternoon they were bracing for ‘a new historic all-time high for the grid,’ forcing them to cut power supplies.

PG&E said there were 6,557 customers without power throughout the Bay Area, with the northern and southern suburbs of San Jose, Livermore, Danville, and parts of San Francisco hardest hit.

But they warned others to be prepared for outages.

‘PG&E has given advanced notification to ~525k customers to prepare for potential rotating outages in case they need to take place,’ they tweeted on Tuesday afternoon. 

Power outages are pictured on Tuesday afternoon, with the Bay Area worst affected

Michael Williams cools off with a popsicle and a bag of ice as the temperature in Santa Rosa hits 112F

People cool off in the ocean along Santa Monica beach on Sunday, as the heatwave continued

‘Tonight, electricity demand is currently forecast at more than 52,000 megawatts (MW), a new historic all-time high for the grid,’ the company said.

‘As the state faces the hottest day in this prolonged, record-breaking heat wave, grid conditions are expected to worsen.

‘If needed, ISO could order utilities to begin rotating power outages to maintain stability of the electric grid.

‘If that occurs, consumers should expect communications – either phone, text or email – from their utilities notifying them of outage areas and likely durations.’

Newsom, in an appeal to his state’s residents, asked them to respect ‘flex alerts’, and avoid unnecessary power usage at peak times.

‘Californians have stepped up in a big way during this record heat wave, but with the hottest temperatures here now, the risk of outages is real,’ he said.

‘We all have to double down on conserving energy to reduce the unprecedented strain on the grid.

‘We need everyone – individuals, businesses, the state and energy producers – to do their part in the coming days and help California continue to meet this challenge.’

Late on Tuesday morning, solar was supplying about a third of the state’s power demand. That will decline overnight.

Residents were asked to cool their homes before 4pm, setting the thermostat to as low as 72 degrees.

They were asked to run their washing machines and dishwashers, and charge their electric vehicles.

They were also advised to keep blinds and drapes closed to lower the temperature.

From 4-9pm, Californians should raise the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher; turn off unnecessary lights; and avoid using appliances and charge electric vehicles.

‘CA is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave. This will be the hottest & longest on record for September,’ Newsom tweeted.

‘Our energy grid is being pushed to its max. The risk of outages is real.

‘We need everyone to double down to save energy after 4pm today.’

Katie Porter, a congresswoman representing the area around Irvine, south of Los Angeles, tweeted: ‘Flex alerts are stressful, but we all need to do our part to conserve energy.

‘My kids are happy to put off chores like laundry and loading the dishwasher until tomorrow morning!’

An excessive heat warning is in place until Friday evening, with temperatures expected to decrease at the weekend.