Savings, rain, thermal fuel make taskforce redundant

By CHRIS DANIELS energy writer

The Winter Power Taskforce, set up to educate and encourage New Zealanders to save power, has been disbanded.

Fears of cold showers, brought on by electricity shortages due to low rainfall into southern hydro lakes, prompted the establishment of the taskforce in March.

"Thanks to power savings, timely rain and improved thermal fuel stocks, the possibility of shortages this winter is now small," said taskforce co-ordinator Patrick Strange. "The storage lakes are closer to normal levels, and the weather outlook is for average rain for the next couple of months."

The "Target 10%" savings campaign had been very successful, with a pleasing level of support from business and residential consumers, he said.

As of Sunday, southern hydro lake levels were 105 per cent of average, with water inflows for the preceding seven days 160 per cent of average.

Mr Strange added a note of caution, raising concerns over the future security of power supply in the event of another dry year.

"I think everyone is aware that, with increasing demand and the rundown of the Maui gasfield, the industry faces challenges in the next year or two."

* Contact Energy, the largest non-state-owned power company, will donate $2.47 million to a range of charities as part of its "Community Conservation Challenge".

The 11 areas where Contact is the dominant retailer saved 7 per cent compared with the same two months last year.

Charities receiving money include South Auckland Maori Wardens Association, Franklin Hospice, and hospitals and medical causes.