ETSA has said it will double its usual number of crews to cope with the ongoing heat and higher electricity use.

Services General Manager Sue Filby said so far, the company had seen fewer power outages than expected.

She said this could be due to investments to improve network reliability and the relatively cool nights during the heatwave.

“However, with the heatwave conditions likely to continue into next week, the electricity distribution network is being placed under unprecedented stress,” Ms Filby said.

“While we can’t guarantee continuity of supply in these extreme conditions, we’ll do everything in our power to minimise disruption.”

Ms Filby said the risk of outages would increase the longer the heatwave continued.

“High electricity demand during periods of very hot weather places the network under stress as equipment is running flat out to meet demand and does not get the chance to cool down.