SaskPower said residential power usage is up while commercial and industrial are down; however, without complete smart meter deployment, it can’t be exact.

More than 6,000 Nova Scotia Power customers were without power this morning.

The power utility says the profit amounted to 38 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31 compared with a profit of 29 cents per diluted share a year ago.

Customers will continue to be billed at the lowest electricity price, called the "off-peak" rate, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the government said.

The rate drop comes as Premier John Horgan and Energy Minister Bruce Ralston are set to make an announcement in connection to BC Hydro.

Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the electricity sector fell by 2 per cent in 2019, owing to reduced coal usage in Europe and the United States, a study from independent climate think tank Ember said Monday.

SaskPower said the choice on who will build the natural gas power station is between two companies with experience working in Saskatchewan.

The outage reasons ranged from downed wires to equipment failure, though some were also caused by birds and motor vehicle accidents.

SaskPower is looking for 500 business customers who would like to have a commercial smart meter installed in 2020.

The AESO said under both the level one and level two energy emergency alerts issued Monday night, all power needs in the province continue to be met, but reserves are being used.