Geography linked to saving rates

By KEVIN TAYLOR political reporter

The percentage difference in household power savings comes down to geography - the further south you go the colder it becomes.

Aucklanders have been criticised for not keeping up with the provinces in the savings game, especially Otago and Southland.

But Winter Power Taskforce co-ordinator Patrick Strange said South Islanders used more power because it was colder. The North Island also had gas available.

Dr Strange said 40 per cent of all household electricity used went on water heating, which did not vary between cities.

However, home heating is the second biggest power-using area and more is used in the south.

The trend can be seen in figures from the Electricity Networks Association: an average Auckland home uses about 7200 kilowatt hours a year, Hamilton 6700kW/h, Wellington 8000kW/h, Christchurch 9500kW/h, Dunedin 10,100kW/h and Invercargill 9200kW/h.

The big cities caught up with the provinces in the power savings race last week.

The improvement came after the business sector introduced power savings schemes.

In the week to last Sunday Auckland and Northland achieved 4 per cent savings, up from 1.9 per cent the week before.

The Wellington region made the biggest gain, up from 2.5 to 5 per cent. Savings in Christchurch and the upper South Island went from 2.5 to 4.8 per cent.

The country has been asked to save 10 per cent because of low inflows into the hydro lakes.

Power savings are improving, with Thursday's consumption down 5.8 per cent, the highest daily savings achieved so far.