Power saving hits 9.4pc

Warmer weather has seen the country's power savings reach their highest level since the present savings campaign began.

Savings reached 9.4 per cent on Saturday, just 0.6 per cent short of the 10 per cent target. This was well up on Friday's effort of 8.7 per cent, itself a high, according to figures published on the Winter Power Taskforce website. The previous high was 8.5 per cent, achieved a week ago on May 25.

The combination of power saving and rising lake levels is pushing back the prospect of power cuts this winter.

The mild winter outlook has further raised hopes that the country could get through the year without major disruption to electricity supplies

The taskforce has yet to indicate when domestic and industrial savings measures could ease.

- NZPA