Long-range forecasting for utilities with dynamic load growth rates

Electric utilities in developing countries face special challenges in projecting output to meet tremendous increases in peak demand and total energy consumption, due to the huge industrial and residential load growth resulting from economic expansion. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for long-range forecasting of peak demand and energy consumption for such utilities. The methodology is implemented for the Eastern Region Utility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is characterized by a dynamic industrial-residential load growth pattern.