Auckland may escape cold showers

A contractual anomaly could see Aucklanders escaping cold showers even if the rest of the country has to endure them, according to National Party Energy spokesman Gerry Brownlee.

"A unique aspect of the agreement Vector has with its customers, means that it can't turn off the hot water without breaching its contract and risking court action from consumers.

"Essentially that could leave Aucklanders still in the warm, unable to take part in the major electricity conservation efforts that will be the norm in other parts of New Zealand later this winter," Mr Brownlee says.

"It pours cold water on the Prime Minister's claim this week that 'Aucklanders will rise to the occasion.'

"Transpower could declare a grid emergency, and that would allow Vector to flick the switch - but I understand Transpower's reluctant to declare an emergency just to cut water heating.

"The Energy Minister can't call for 10% energy savings when our biggest city is unable to take part in a national conservation campaign," Mr Brownlee says.

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