The Real Cost of Air Conditioning Load

The air-conditioning (A/C) load represents one of the major components of electric demand, especially in areas subject to extreme atmospheric conditions, such as the Gulf region. In summer, the temperature can be as high as 50°C, often combined with excessive levels of humidity. This, together with the relatively low prices of air conditioning room units and central systems (as a result of the open and highly competitive markets), and strongly subsidized energy prices, has led to an excessive impact of the air conditioning load component on the electric daily and monthly demand curves.