Cutting Auckland's carbon emmissions by 40 per cent by 2025 is among a raft of environmental goals announced by Mayor Len Brown this morning.

Wind generation has grown 10-fold since 2003, to more than 4 per cent today. This year alone wind capacity will grow nearly 25 per cent as three new wind farms are commissioned.

Electricity has been restored to the 5500 Wairarapa households that suffered power cuts after strong winds snapped power poles yesterday.

Todd Energy is to build a $100m gas-fired power station near Waitara in Taranaki.

Power has been restored to Napier after a felled tree shortcircuited a cable supplying electricity to more than 21,000 people.

The death of a man whose breathing apparatus stopped during a power cut has been referred to a coroner.

About 30,000 customers are switching power companies per month as the battle for new customers heats up and consumers chase better deals.

Mercury Energy is offering customers the chance to take a punt and lock in power prices for the next three years.