Power savings campaign to continue

Media release
15 July 2008

Power savings campaign to continue

Convenor of the Winter Power Group and Transpower Chief Executive Patrick Strange said today that the powersaving campaign will continue to run for another two weeks in an effort to increase South Island storage levels.

“Although rain over the weekend provided more water into the lakes, the South Island controlled storage is still lower than we would like at 58%. The powersavers campaign was committed for six weeks and it is prudent for us to continue to run this until we are comfortable with the South Island hydro situation."

“We are hopeful for more rain and provided this arrives and prudent savings continue, we anticipate that we will not need to extend the campaign,” he said.

Up to Tuesday 15 July, national powersavings reached a campaign high of 4.9% achieved over the corresponding period in the previous year. This is in addition to the savings being made by major industrial users.

Mr Strange said that powersaving efforts were very positive and people were continuing to reduce their electricity use where they can.

“This is pleasing to see especially now that we are in the middle of winter and the industry thanks all consumers for their ongoing efforts. Hopefully when the campaign does finish, New Zealanders may have a better idea of small, convenient ways to reduce their everyday electricity use and bills, and will continue these efforts."

In other results, the upper South Island lead the country’s saving efforts with 6.5% with the lower North Island following close behind with savings of 6.0%. Other savings included the lower South Island with 4.8%, the upper North Island with savings of 4.0% and the central North Island with 3.9%.

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 an accurate comparison.

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.

ENDS

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