Govt needs to take the lead in conserving power

MAJOR ELECTRICITY USERS' GROUP

Thursday, 24th April 2008

Government needs to take the lead in conserving power

“While it’s not time to panic, everybody needs to start making simple low cost electricity conservation savings to help the worsening South Island lake storage situation and to take pressure off spot prices,” said Ralph Matthes, Executive Director of the Major Electricity Users’ Group (MEUG). His comments follow an emergency conference call this afternoon by major users’ about the very high spot prices over the last 2 to 3 months and the possibility spot prices might rise further if lake levels continue to drop.

“Government Departments need to take a lead on this by demonstrating to the public that conserving power is worthwhile to help alleviate spot prices and avoid black-outs. While the Minister of Energy claims the risk of black-outs is small, industrial consumers believe that commencing small low cost conservation efforts to save power would be a prudent step.

“MEUG calls on all Ministers to take the lead on encouraging Government Departments to start saving power. Departments took this lead in the price/supply crises in 2001, 2003 and 2006, and therefore it shouldn’t take much to dust off those plans and put them into place in 2008.

“All it will take is a small effort by everybody and the chance of black-outs or continuing high spot prices will be significantly dampened” concluded Mr Matthes.

ENDS

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