Update on Winter Power

Update on Winter Power

Transpower confirmed today that the electricity industry would step up current efforts to conserve power and is extending the public information campaign to include radio and television advertising, starting this weekend.

Transpower Chief Executive Patrick Strange said that although there was a little rain in the South Island lakes over the weekend, the lakes are still only 52% of average.

“The situation has not deteriorated from last week as there was some rain into Manapouri which is an important catchment going into winter.

“As an industry, we will now be asking both business and residential customers to make some extra effort in reducing their electricity usage. We are not asking people to go without electricity that they need, but to take sensible measures to turn off appliances they don’t need or that are on standby, and to reduce consumption where they can, particularly during peak times in the morning and evening – 7am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm - when demand is high.

“We are pleased with the response from the electricity industry and large industrial customers. All thermal generators are running at capacity, including Whirinaki, the Government owned reserve plant, and the transmission grid has been optimised to maximise southward flow across the HVDC link to conserve water in the South Island hydro lakes. 100MW of retired generation plant at New Plymouth has also been returned to service and commissioning for 90MW of geothermal power at Kawerau has been brought forward from October, so that some energy will be produced in July.

“Industry and business consumers exposed to spot prices are also reducing their demand.

“All of these actions taken together have been very helpful, and coupled with an effort from business and residential customers, should help us to successfully manage this issue as winter progresses.”

ENDS

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