(MENAFN - Jordan Times) The power grid on Saturday registered a record-high load of 2,490 megawatts (MW) since the beginning of the hot season, according to the National Power Company (NEPCO).
The electric load on the country's network during the first heatwave since summer started rose by 7-8 per cent compared to the same period last year, when it stood at 2,300MW, NEPCO operations department director Amin Zaghel said.
"The rise is attributed to people's growing reliance on fans and air conditioners... The highest load on the network during last summer amounted to 2,660MW of the Kingdom's 2,900MW total generating capacity," Zaghel told The Jordan Times over the phone.
During heatwaves, loads on the power grid increase, often causing outages. However, the fact that the heatwave affected the country over the weekend gave electricity officials some comfort, he noted.
"No power outages were reported during the heatwave," Zaghel added.
Meanwhile, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said that the impact of the heatwave, which started affecting the country on Thursday, is expected to wane as of today.
"The heatwave will start to ease off starting Sunday, but the weather will remain hot and temperatures well above their annual average of 34C during this time of the year," a JMD weather forecaster said on Saturday.
The heatwave was caused by a seasonal depression originating from the Indian subcontinent accompanied by a hot air mass, which was centred over the northern parts of the Arabian Peninsula, according to the JMD.
The heatwave peaked on Thursday, when mercury levels reached 40C in Amman and other areas across the Kingdom.
The highest temperatures were recorded in Azraq in the eastern desert, where it reached 43C, and Jafer in the southeastern tip of the Kingdom, where it hit 42C.
The maximum temperature in the capital again reached 40C on Friday, according to the department.
A slight drop in temperatures is forecast on Monday, but the weather will remain hot. Mercury levels will range between a high of 36C and a low of 20C in Amman.
Temperatures will return to their annual average on Tuesday, reaching a maximum of 33C and dropping to a minimum of 18C in the capital.
