8 July 2008
This week has seen the biggest power savings for the winter so far.
The average across country is 4.6%.
Looks like we will be getting through the power crisis - without any power blackouts.
Whew.
3 July 2008
The campaign to save power is going to continue at least another fortnight, but for the first time in weeks there are signs in an end to the power crisis.
28 June 2008
The energy shortage is reaching crunch point at one of New Zealand's key hydro lakes.
Water levels look set to fall below a critical level at Lake Hawea near Wanaka by tomorrow. Some locals claim that they will be dire environmental consequences.
24 June 2008
The icy blast racing up the country has had many people shivering - but despite this - the country is saving power.
Power usage is down more than 3% this past week.
20 June 2008
The power conservation scheme is now under way - and national savings are at around 2%. It's not enough. Keep turning off those lights.
We have a long way to go for winter 2008.
Turn your lights off - especially all those big buildings lit up in the Cities.
Rain has fallen in the hydro lake catchments, and home consumers are taking heed of the call to reduce power use.
However - we will have to do better than what we have done to date if we are to avoid power brownouts/blackouts.
Start of with ditching those incandescent bulbs and get new energy efficient CFL.
15 June 2008
The national power saving campaign encouraging all businesses and households to cut their power use by 2% begins tonight.
After a weekend of rain and wet weather in all the right places, a crisis may have been averted, but power companies still want everyone to do their bit.
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5 June 2008
Wave power is being tested in Wellington Harbour as wave generating electricity.
It's a small scale project - just enough to power 2 houses, but within a decade much larger commercial wave generators will be pumping power into the national grid.
Not so sure on the 10 year time frame - I think they will need to fast track this.
5 June 2008
NZ's looming power crisis is looming closer every day.
It is quite possible on Monday that there will be an official announcement asking all to save power.
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Recent rain hasn'tt changed the power companies mind's about the threat of power shortages this 2008 winter in New Zealand.
We really do need to look at the way in which we waste electricity in NZ and better technologies - solar hot water, passive solar heat gain to produce more sustainable homes.
The South Island hydro lakes have had some much needed rain in the past day comes as the electricity industry considers implementing an emergency plan to ensure that they is no power cuts.
More rain please. We like rain in New Zealand.
Major power users are calling on Government Departments to set an example to avoid winter blackouts.
Hydro lake levels are continuing to fall.
Mayor Electricity User Group is saying it is not time to panic just yet - but it is time to start being proactive in saving electricity.
Hydro Lake levels in New Zealand have now dropped so far that they have triggered an alarm system set up to prevent a repeat of the 1992 blackouts.
Transpower said that water flow into Lake Taupo is the lowest ever recorded.
It is now taking what it calls prudent planning measures, and talking about reducing consumer demand - though not by imposing cuts.
New Zealand is entering the winter of 2008.
The summer drought is not only affecting agriculture - but is now looking like it will have a serious flow on effect (excuse the pun) into winter hydro electricity generation.
