June 24 (Reuters) - New York-based utility Con Edison ED.N has asked customers to conserve energy during the ongoing heatwave, adding that it has reduced voltage by 8% in parts of eastern Brooklyn to protect equipment and keep power flowing as crews carry out repairs.

Meteorologists at AccuWeather forecast that high temperatures in New York City, the largest city in the United States, could reach up to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday.

As temperatures soar, the widespread use of air conditioners by homes and businesses puts extra strain on the power grid, increasing the risk of outages.

The heatwave, meanwhile, boosted power prices in some regions to their highest since January.

Next-day power prices in New England E-NEPLMHP-IDX jumped about 17% to around $189 per megawatt hour for Tuesday, while spot power at the PJM West hub E-PJWHDAP-IDX remained over $200 for a second day in a row.

That compares with an average of $81 per MWh in New England so far this year and $47 in calendar 2024, and an average of $56 in PJM so far this year and $42 in calendar 2024.

(Reporting by Sarah Qureshi in Bengaluru and Scott DiSavino in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama )

((SarahS.Qureshi@thomsonreuters.com;))