Power usage plummets in capital during Earth Hour
BANGKOK’S power consumption dropped 2,020 megawatts during the hour on Saturday night that residents were asked to turn off non-essential lights as part of Earth Hour 2016.
“The drop translated into electricity savings of Bt8 million and there was a huge cut in carbon-dioxide emissions,” Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said.
He said it was estimated the power-consumption drop during Earth Hour could have reduced emissions by 1,057 tonnes.
Since 2008, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has joined hands with WWF Thailand and the Foundation for Environmental Education for Sustainable Development (Thailand) in organising Earth Hour events in the capital.
Between 2009 and 2015 the events cumulatively lowered power consumption by an estimated 12,324 MW, or Bt40.9 million in electricity savings, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 7,114 tonnes.
“While the events are quite successful, we also would like to encourage people to save electricity as well as other forms of energy every day,” Sukhumbhand said.
In Bangkok, record peak power consumption took place on May 8 last year – with residents consuming 5,954 MW.
Millions of people around the world participated this year. Landmarks like Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Paris’ Eiffel Tower, London’s London Eye and Tower Bridge, Rome’s Trevi Fountain, Athens’ Parthenon Temple and Moscow’s Kremlin turned off their lights. The annual event kicked off in Sydney, where Earth Hour originated in 2007.