Forget about scapegoats and start saving power

National Party Energy spokesman Gerry Brownlee says it's time for the Government to start talking tough on power saving.

"The Government should stop searching for a scapegoat to blame for the looming crisis and start pushing the conservation message with some urgency," Mr Brownlee says.

"It's become even more imperative in light of new Electricity Market figures which show the country's hydro lake storage is tracking at levels similar to those experienced ahead of the 1992 power crisis.

"Lake levels are well down on where they should be at this time of year, 66% of their average," Mr Brownlee notes.

"Now is not the time for the Government to be pointing the finger or looking for someone to blame, it's time for the Government to get serious about saving electricity.

"If New Zealand is to avoid substantial rolling cuts this winter the Government must act," says Mr Brownlee.

"The Winter Power Taskforce has been calling for 5% cuts, but there is now growing debate over whether that will be enough.

"Trust Power believes a New Zealand needs twice that, saying a 10% savings target would be a safer bet," says Mr Brownlee.

"The Government needs to start promoting its targets and make sure the public knows about them. "New Zealanders always respond well to calls for electricity conservation, but we need a clear message first," Mr Brownlee says.

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