Rise in power consumption down by 1.5%

DEMAND for electricity continued to grow in the Balearics during 2008 but at a rate considerably lower than in previous years.
Power supply company - Gesa-Endesa - figures showed yesterday that while a 3.5 percent increase had been the order of the day over the last few years, a rise of only 2 percent was registered in 2008. The company said that the slowing down could be attributed to businesses and individuals cutting back as a result of the economic downturn, although it added that climate and population growth are factors which have most impact on consumption levels. Providing further details, Gesa-Endesa said that from 1st January to 29th December this year, the Balearics had consumed 6'057'857 megawatts/hour. By island, demand in Majorca had risen by 2 percent, 1.1 on Minorca, 3.4 on Ibiza and 1.1 on Formentera. With the last month of 2008 being cold and wet, consumption during that month in the Islands had also surpassed that during December last year - by 2.9 percent. The company urged clients to make responsible use of the power source as it is the principal contaminator in the Islands.