How much electricity did Oakville use during Earth Hour Monday?

Thestar.com
March 31, 2022

Oakville Hydro reports that during Earth Hour the town of Oakville saved approximately 16.2 MWh of electricity, which is equivalent to turning off more than a million 15-watt light bulbs for one hour.

Town facilities dimmed non-essential lighting, where possible, for an hour beginning at 8:30 p.m., on Monday, March 28, joining residents across Oakville to mark the occasion.

“The values and importance of Earth Hour extend far beyond one hour on one evening,” said Scott Mudie, chief operating officer and chief conservation officer of Oakville Hydro.

“The initiative reminds us of the critical need to combat climate change and look for ways to save energy each and every day.”

The theme of Earth Hour 2022 was, “together we can shape the future.”

Mudie said the Oakville community’s continued support and conservation efforts prove they are collectively working toward creating a more sustainable future.

Oakville’s Earth Hour showing was better than last year when Oakville Hydro reported energy savings of 9.3 MWh, the equivalent of turning off around 620,000 15-watt light bulbs for one hour.

The town reportedly used 8.6 MW or 5.1 per cent less electricity during the same time in 2020.

Oakville’s worst Earth Hour showing was a 1.6 per cent power reduction in 2015 while its best was a 13.3 per cent energy demand drop in 2009.

The town’s first Earth Hour effort achieved a respectable 8.2 per cent reduction in 2008.

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement for the planet that the World Wildlife Fund started in 2007 with a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia.

Since then, it has grown to engage more than 7,000 cities and towns worldwide.

For more information, visit www.earthhour.org.