THE CHANCES OF power blackouts in parts of New Zealand have reduced with increased inflows into hydro reservoirs. For the first time since June, inflows have been above average.
In August New Zealand's Energy Minister called for a 10% energy saving for ten weeks from New Zealanders, and a 15 % saving from the public sector to stave off an impending electricity shortage and blackouts.
The ongoing drought had forced the closure of three hydro plants on the country’s west coast. Trustpower, which owns the Waihopo, Dilmans-Duffers-Kumara and Arnold dams, said it had no choice but to close the facilities as low storage levels meant that turbines risked being clogged with mud.
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