Powered up: Arizona utilities prepare for high demand to battle heatwave

PHOENIX — A heatwave that is expected to knock the flip-flops off Valley residents starting this weekend will give air- conditioners a workout but the power will keep flowing, utility companies said.

Even though the unbearably hot temperatures (predictions of nearly 120 degrees Sunday and Monday) will put more demand on power-producing facilities, Arizona Public Service and Salt River Project said their equipment and staffs were ready.

Jenna Shaver with Arizona Public Service said the company didn’t anticipate its system reaching peak demand, but crews will be on standby for any possible outages.

“When heatwaves like this do come on, we make sure we have crews ready to dispatch and restore power to our customers as quickly as possible,” she said.

SRP said new technology was helping to keep its grids working at optimal performance.

Air conditioning=your best friend this weekend. Some tips to stay cool, save $$$. #azwxhttps://t.co/5B1gdv86ra pic.twitter.com/ACr8guvXXG

— Salt River Project (@SRPconnect) June 14, 2016

The 110-plus-degree weather will hang around until at least Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Another reminder of the upcoming heat wave this weekend through the middle of next week. #azwx pic.twitter.com/miWxw6Yvwd

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) June 17, 2016

Shaver said customers should keep an outage kit in the home just in case they do lose power.

“Water is key. Have a battery-powered radio. From a smartphone they can access our outage map, which we just launched this spring. It will let them know where the outage and when the power is expected to come back on,” Shaver said.

Customers can also sign up for text alerts about outages.

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