Kiwis asked to reduce electricity
Houses across the country are at risk of losing power this morning due to a potential shortfall of electricity, as the temperature in Christchurch is expected to plummet to -4C.
Transpower says an unseasonal cold snap and low wind generation are the cause of the potential shortfall.
Christchurch residents could wake to one of the coldest mornings of the year, with -4C forecast by MetService.
Energy Minister Simeon Brown said “asking customers to turn the lights off is not good”.
“That is not where we need our country to be.
‘’We inherited an energy system which is in crisis,’’ Brown said.
Kiwis are being asked to reduce demand by reducing their electricity usage between 7am and 9am on Friday.
Transpower suggested people could turn off heaters and lights in rooms not being used, and delaying use of washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers and the charging appliances and vehicles until after 9am.
People could also turn their heating down by one or two degrees, on what was forecast to be an icy morning.
Transpower said it had sent a warning notice yesterday advising the industry of the situation.
‘‘Transpower will work with electricity lines companies around New Zealand to switch off controllable load like hot water systems tomorrow morning to reduce demand.
‘‘Hot water systems are regularly switched on and off during the day, so most people won’t notice this.’’
It said major industrial electricity consumers had also been asked to reduce electricity use for the possible shortfall period.
If this was not enough to keep the power system in balance, Transpower said it might need to work with lines companies to switch off electricity supply to some areas.
‘‘This would be for a short time until the electricity supply shortage is resolved and will prevent the risk of widespread and longer outages.’’
People who relied on power for medical reasons were asked to ensure they had a backup plan in place and call 111 in an emergency.