Power blackout probe puts onus on Electricity Authority, Transpower to do better

Photo: 123RF / RNZ

By RNZ

On the night of August 9 electricity demand reached an all-time high and, combined with insufficient generation, it resulted in blackouts to some parts of the country as power distributors responded to Transpower's demand to reduce the burden on the national grid.

Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods said the report into the incident, published today, showed there was enough discretionary load to keep the lights on.

It found Transpower could not see the extent of that discretionary load and the Electricity Authority must review and strengthen its oversight of the operator.

Both agencies were asked to consider the report's 18 recommendations and provide quarterly updates to Minister Woods on their progress.

Megan Woods Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox / RNZ

"I do not want households to be put in this situation again," Woods said in a statement.

"Kiwis deserve more. By implementing the report's 18 recommendations I believe we will be better placed in future.

"It is also clear that the market requires much greater demand-side participation if greater electrification and decarbonisation is to happen. In future, better use of hot water control, known as ripple control, and other technologies are likely to be key to this."

The inquiry was headed by former Cabinet minister Pete Hodgson who was assisted by specialist technical adviser Erik Westergaard.

- RNZ