Cold snap could cancel savings

A cold snap which hit the South Island last evening may have knocked a slight easing in the electricity crisis.

Rain, improved savings and the forecast of a warm winter had earlier lifted hopes, though experts stressed further savings were vital to avoid power shortages.

But the wintry blast pushed southern temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and forced people to turn up heaters.

An expected spike in power consumption would suck down rain-boosted hydro lake levels - and put the brakes on already slender electricity savings.

Rainfall over Lake Pukaki (400mm) and Lake Tekapo (200mm) late last week, and the resulting catchment, pumped up hydro energy storage by several per cent.

Meridian Energy spokesman Alan Seay said the rain had "bought us another week or so" before prolonged power cuts might be required.

Respite for the hydro lakes coincided with power consumption savings of 3.6 per cent on Friday - up from 3.2 per cent earlier last week.

A grim situation was therefore looking slightly more hopeful - until the bone-chilling southerly blew in.

"People might burn up all that extra [hydro lake] water," said MetService weatherman Bob McDavitt.

The bad news is that a lot more rain is required to sustain long, hot showers and unlimited heating.

The good news is that the cold snap was short-lived. Warmer temperatures are expected this week.

This yo-yo weather pattern - brief bracing chills followed by long fine periods - is likely to continue until the middle of next month, Mr McDavitt said.

So what does it all mean for power consumers? Basically, the pressure is still on to cut back electricity use by 10 per cent.

Dr Patrick Strange, who heads the winter power taskforce, remained upbeat about the far-off target.

"If you got half a per cent [savings] a day for a couple of weeks, you're in great shape," he said.





Energy Minister Pete Hodgson has confirmed that lowering minimum hydro lake levels is a possible response to the power shortages.

In 1992 the National Government brought in legislation allowing lower hydro lake levels as a temporary measure. Levels are set to avoid problems such as summer dust storms.

- STAFF REPORTER