NB Power is urging customers to reduce power consumption until Jan. 26. (CBC)

NB Power is asking people to reduce their electricity usage over the next few days as the province struggles through a cold snap.

The province's electricity corporation issued the voluntary request to limit power consumption on Friday because of a combination of cold weather and the utility's diminished power generating capacity.

Environment Canada has issued severe weather warnings to many communities in New Brunswick as extreme wind chills are expected to hit —38 C on Monday.

Kathleen Duguay, a NB Power spokesperson, said the utility is asking people to reassess their electricity use until at least Wednesday as the freezing temperatures are expected to continue.

"It's certainly an approach we will be re-evaluating and perhaps putting back in place if need be," Duguay said.

NB Power is asking consumers to monitor their power use during the peak hours of 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The utility is suggesting people turn down the heat by two degrees in all rooms, limit lighting to what is necessary, limit hot water use and avoid using dishwashers or dryers.

Duguay said the company has purchasing agreement contracts in place, should there be a need to import power in the future.

NB Power's challenge to provide power during the frigid snap is being made more difficult because the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station is still being refurbished and the Grand Lake Generating Station is no longer operating.

NB Power's total generating capacity is 3,959 MW but it is down to 3,272 MW with the Point Lepreau and Grand Lake facilities no longer producing power.

Duguay said the utility is meeting power needs and is making the request to its customers only as a precaution.

NB Power reports its peak demand on Sunday was 2,427 MW, which is down from the 3,333 MW the company hit between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Jan. 16, 2004.

The New Brunswick System Operator's website indicated the province's power demand on Monday at 10:01 a.m. was 2,861.

NB Power's 2009-2019 load forecast indicated its estimated peak demand in 2010-11 would be 2,930 MW.