Conserve, conserve, conserve is the Bermuda Electric Light Company mantra this summer, recommending that Bermudians reduce electricity consumption in the coming months.

Belco CEO Garry Madeiros pleaded with Islanders be vigilant as July and August are the highest months for energy consumption. He added that people should try and be more conservative between the hours of 9 a.m and 7 p.m. to stave off any possibility of rotating outages.

The company anticipates that the peak demand this summer will be 118 million watts (MW) or higher ? an increase of four percent over last year.

?It is important to note that we do have generating capacity to meet electricity demand this summer,? said Mr. Madeiros.

?However, should we experience equipment failure affecting operation of more than one of our major generators, our ability to continue to supply all customers with the energy they demand, with adequate back-up capability, could be compromised, thus resulting in rotating outages.?

Because the electricity plant monitors the generators on a ?minute by minute basis? the company will send out an ?alert? if consumption is dangerously close to capacity.

Mr. Madeiros said the public would be notified early in the morning so that people can begin to take extra conservation measures during specific times of that particular day.

If rotating outages were to occur Mr. Madeiros said: ?The areas involved in the rotation will be spread throughout the Island on fair and equitable basis. We anticipate that outages would last no longer than two hours.?

He added, that if a rotating outage occurred, the company would be sensitive to areas such as the City of Hamilton, St. George?s and Dockyard. He said King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and hotels would also not be affected.

Residents can do several things to stave off any chance of rotating outages:

Turn off air-conditioning systems when not at home, turn on only those air-conditioners in rooms that are being used, or turn them on in the evening instead of the late afternoon-the peak demand period.

Turn down thermostats on electric water heaters. The intensity of hot water required in the summer is less than needed in the winter.

Postpone laundry to off peak hours- night or early morning-and use cold water.

Consider replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs as they are more energy efficient, last longer and emit less heat.

Close shades on the sunny side of the house to keep heat out.

Turn off lights that are not being used at both the home and office.

Belco is also working on their own ways to make sure the plant is fully operational and the Island is conserving energy.

Mr. Madeiros said: ?We have instituted the Energy Cooperative Programme and at critical times will be calling on some of our largest customers to run their generators, providing their own electricity supply during peak hours and thereby leaving available capacity for other customers.?

Letters to customers and radio announcements will begin over the next couple of weeks to remind customers and ask for conservation support.

?The things that are small will add up to a lot. It all adds up and will make a difference,? Mr. Madeiros said.