New website gives consumers up to date power info

Media release
27 May 2008

New website gives consumers up to date power information

The power industry today launched a new website to provide easy access to the latest information on the electricity supply situation this winter.

Winterpower Watch or www.winterpower.co.nz, will be updated daily and features the latest data on hydro storage levels, lake inflows and daily power usage.

The site is being launched by the Winter Power Group, assembled earlier this year by five major power companies and Transpower as the independent system operator, to oversee electricity supplies this winter.

Winter Power Group spokesperson and Transpower chief executive, Patrick Strange said Winterpower Watch is aimed at giving all New Zealanders accurate and up-to-date information about the electricity supply situation going into winter.

“Hydro storage lakes are lower than normal for this time of year and there has been a lot of interest from the public in what is happening. The industry believes that it is important to keep everyone informed about the situation and this website will help provide a central point in providing some easy to read information.

“The site will also provide updates on progress that the power industry is making to manage power supplies going into winter."

The industry remains concerned about the low lakes.

Patrick Strange said that the industry continues to ask the public to be prudent with their electricity use.

“Currently the lake levels are around 58% of average, which is very low for this time of year. Inflows also remain very low in both islands. The weather front which brought snow to the South Island late last week, quickly turned southerly which brought very little rain to the key southern lakes,” he said.

For more information visit www.winterpower.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media