New Zealanders urged to keep saving power in July

Media release

4 July 2008

New Zealanders urged to keep saving power in July

Patrick Strange, convenor of the Winter Power Group and Chief Executive of Transpower, thanked New Zealanders for their continued effort on saving power at work and at home. The latest results show lower South Island region continues to be the top powersaving region for the week, with savings of 4.4%.

“The combination of power saving and better inflows is starting to make a difference to the lakes’ storage levels.”

Dr Strange said the cold temperatures across much of New Zealand in the last week had pushed up demand for electricity. “We certainly want people to keep warm and safe, so we’re first asking them to turn off anything they don’t need.” The powersavers website (www.powersavers.co.nz) has a wide range of simple tips from turning off unnecessary lights through to having shorter showers and cooking in the microwave.

“The overall national savings of 3.3% for the week to Friday 4 July shows people are still saving power despite the wet, cold weather. In other results to Friday 4 July, the upper North Island region saved 2.6% the central North Island region saved 3%,the lower North Island region saved 4%, the upper South Island saved 2.7.%

As the powersaving campaign continues, School packs with the powersaving message have been sent out to 180 schools throughout New Zealand and an associated contest has launched that will see schools going in the draw to win packs of energy saving lightbulbs.

“It’s been great to see the tips that kids are coming up with to save power,” said Patrick. “They have figured out the right messages, for example on light switches, ’red dot bad, white dot good. And no red lights on the tv when you turn it off – switch it off at the wall.’ “

Electricity usage for each region is being compared on a week to week basis, to results from the corresponding week in 2007. Adjustments have been made for temperature, demand growth, and other factors that need to be ‘normalised’ in order to provide a more accurate comparison.

People can monitor the regional savings results every Tuesday and Friday at www.powersavers.co.nz .The website also updates on a daily basis such key data as lake storage levels, inflows, usage and peak demand, as well as providing a wealth of energy savings tips from experts and the general public.

ENDS

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