Covid 19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Power bill fears during lockdown a concern, Flaxmere councillor says

Flaxmere councillor Henare O'Keefe said power bill increases from families at home during lockdown will affect already struggling families. Photo / NZME

A Hawke's Bay councillor says a potential rise in electricity bills from people staying at home during lockdown could cause massive harm to those already struggling in his suburb.

Troubled national grid manager Transpower, which issued another grid emergency alert as New Zealand entered level 4 earlier this week, says there's sufficient supply to meet demand even with the country in lockdown.

However, Flaxmere councillor and ambassador Henare O'Keefe says even the smallest price increase "will kill" families struggling to heat their homes and make ends meet.

A Transpower spokesperson said they were currently forecasting sufficient supply to meet demand out for the rest of the week, barring a major plant failure.

She said power demand was down about 15 per cent - much like during alert level 4 last year - and they expected this trend to continue.

"We are in regular communication with industry regarding the situation, how demand is looking and what our level of supply is."

O'Keefe emphasised he was not exaggerating when he said increased power bills "will kill" families already struggling and living in "houses like igloos".

Power demand is currently down about 15 per cent - much like during alert level 4 last year. Photo / Warren Buckland

"They are barely making ends meet now.

"I've even heard of a couple who have broken pieces of their own furniture to burn to keep warm.

"They stay in bed all day [to keep warm], especially the elderly."

O'Keefe said it shouldn't be happening in this country.

He said providing power should be about improving the quality of life and helping people, "but it's about making money".

Along with other community members, O'Keefe had dropped off firewood to a few homes to try to help older, more vulnerable people in recent days.

"What Covid-19 has done is push us back into the home and what's most important in our lives. That's family."

While there was little that could be done to help people during lockdown, he was a strong supporter of a programme that has seen solar panels installed on homes across the Ngāti Kahungunu rohe.

"We've been putting solar panels in at no cost to the people, no charge at all, and the difference it is making to their bills is huge."

He also supported an idea that the government extend the Winter Energy Payment, an extra payment scheme to help with the cost of heating homes over the winter months.

Last week about 30,000 homes around the North Island, from Wellington to Whangārei, lost power after demand reached an "all time high" due to cold weather. Photo / Unison

It is currently open to people on benefits, including pensioners, who can get between $20.46 and $31.82 per week from Work and Income towards their electricity bill.

However, Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni said the government is not considering an extension to the Winter Energy Payment.

"Work and Income may be able to help with any urgent power, gas, water bills, or the costs of heating if people are in need.

"There is a range of support available through MSD. People don't have to be on a benefit to qualify for help. Anyone who needs support should contact Work and Income on 0800 559 009."

Electricity Authority general manager legal, monitoring and compliance Sarah Gillies said that during the previous level 4 lockdown wholesale electricity spot prices were low, as they are now too.

"As most residential consumers are on fixed price contracts, they won't even notice any immediate change to the price of electricity.

"However, if consumers are using more power at home this may have an impact on their bills."

Dr Marcos Pelenur, of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, said lower demand was due to industrial sites, corporate offices, and schools having to shut down.

"Collectively, they use far more electricity than households. If anything, because of that, we'd expect lower power prices."

Under level 4 lockdowns, there wasn't much homeowners could do to ensure their house is well-insulated, but said to take note of drafts and cold spots to look at that when the country opens up again.

He encouraged people to check their hot water use - which makes up about 30 per cent of household energy use.

"One of the easiest ways to lower your energy bill is to cut back on any hot water you don't need to use. That means shorter showers, and cold cycles on the washing machine.

"Only heat rooms when you're using them, and turn off heaters at other times."

Cleaning heat pump filters can also increase efficiency and he recommended setting it to "heat" rather than "auto".

Lights play a small part in power use, but its adds up – make sure you turn them off when not in use, or switch to LEDs, which you can get from the supermarket, he said.

On Monday the spot price for electricity rose significantly when Hawke's Bay residents were again asked to reduce demand due to a fault at the Genesis-run Tuai power station, near Lake Waikaremoana.

A week earlier about 30,000 homes around the North Island, from Wellington to Whangārei, lost power after demand reached an "all time high" due to cold weather.

Investigations are still ongoing into last week's blackout event, including from the Electricity Authority.

Transpower had warned electricity providers in the 36 hours leading up to last week's blackout, however it was later revealed by Energy Minister Megan Woods it had overestimated the amount needed to be shed.

More energy saving tips are available online at genless.govt.nz/stories/ways-to-save-energy-at-home/