22 Aug 2024

Transpower eases generators' water take amid power crunch

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 22 August 2024

Transpower has announced this morning it will allow generators to take more water from hydro lakes to help with the electricity crunch.

Generators will be allowed to breach consents to access contingent lake storage. Transpower says if conditions worsen,  it may call on the public to conserve electricity use, to help free up supply.

Kathryn speaks to Transpower's Executive general manager of operations, Chantelle Bramley, Mercury's chief executive Vince Hawkesworth and energy economist Stephen Poletti.

Lake Benmore hydro dam New Zealand

Photo: muha/123RF

Get the RNZ app

for easy access to all your favourite programmes

Subscribe to Nine To Noon

Podcast (MP3) Oggcast (Vorbis)