Save 5pc of power or risk cut

By BRIAN FALLOW

Consumers are being asked to cut their power use by 5 per cent to reduce the risk of shortages this winter.

Dr Patrick Strange, who has the job of co-ordinating efforts to keep the lights on, said the outlook for electricity supply this winter continued to be "of significant concern".

Water levels in the hydro lakes are well below average and lower than they were at this stage in 2001.

Inflows of water to the lakes so far this year are only 75 per cent of normal and the weather forecasters are giving no comfort that this will improve.

"We need three or four very wet weeks to make a difference," Dr Strange said. "A bit of rain won't put me out of a job."

Unlike 2001, the supply of natural gas to thermal power stations is a constraint because the giant Maui field now looks like running out two years earlier than expected, leaving generators scrambling for alternative supplies of fuel.

State-owned generator Genesis plans to run the Huntly power station, New Zealand's largest, mainly on coal instead of gas and is importing 500,000 tonnes from Australia to boost supplies.

But Dr Strange said to run Huntly flat out would require about 500 tonnes of coal an hour, or a truck and trailer load every three minutes.

Contact Energy's older New Plymouth plant is being readied for a switch from gas to fuel oil in June.

Dr Strange said he could not be certain at this stage that there would be enough thermal electric generating capacity if the winter was dry and cold, so it was prudent to call for a cut in consumption.

Demand for electricity has been running 4 per cent ahead of a year ago. In Auckland demand is 6 per cent higher, reflecting the building boom.

Dr Strange said it took energy to build houses and then people lived in them and used more.

Households consume about a third of New Zealand's electricity and small business a quarter.

"[Saving] the first 5 per cent is the easy layer, if we put our minds to it," said Dr Strange. "It involves quite simple things that don't affect our lifestyle."

Calling for moderate savings early was intended to avoid the need for deeper cuts later.

"If we keep 5 per cent going for four months it is the equivalent of 20 per cent in one month, which would be a real challenge."

Big electricity users exposed to skyrocketing prices on the wholesale market have already scaled back usage.

Comalco, whose aluminium smelter consumes almost a sixth of the electricity supply, has cut its load by 10 per cent.

Ways to save

* Water heating uses about 45 per cent of your electricity. Turn down the thermostat - and turn it off when going on holiday.

* About 15 per cent of electricity is used on lighting. Switch off unused lights.

* Turn off heated towel rails during the day.

* Install a water-efficient shower head.

* Install a hot-water cylinder wrap - and save up to 10 per cent of the power bill.

* Fix any dripping hot taps. This could save $2 a tap every month.

* Wash clothes in cold water. This could save $5 a month.

Source: The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.