Simeon Brown: Energy Minister on the threat of power outages and the pressure on the grid

Kiwis are waking to freezing temperatures this morning and the threat of rolling power outages due to a nationwide grid emergency on the coldest day of the year.  

Christchurch, Twizel and Mt Cook Airport were the coldest spots in the country this morning, dropping to a bone-chilling -6.4C around 5.30am, according to MetService.  

Alexandra wasn’t far behind at -5C, while Taumarunui was the coldest town in the North Island at -4.6C. Palmerston North was at -3C, Masterton at -2C, Levin, Taupo and Paraparaumu were all around -1.5C and Hamilton was at -1C.  

Auckland got down to 4.1C this morning, but chilly winds in the city meant it felt like 2C, according to MetService.  

But despite the icy temperatures, households have been told to conserve electricity and not use their heaters as much to prevent overloading the country’s power grid as energy demand outstrips supply.  

The country’s grid operator Transpower issued a warning notice in advance, saying it did not have enough generation offers to meet demand between 7am and 9am Friday. 

People have been asked not to use heaters or lights in rooms they were not using, not to charge electronic devices and vehicles and to delay using washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers. 

The Minister of Energy has also urged New Zealanders to conserve electricity this morning. Meanwhile, Government minister and Act Party leader David Seymour has called the potential cuts “Third World stuff”. 

Simeon Brown spoke with Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB about the energy sector’s request to save power this morning. 

“I knew it would be challenging and I knew it would be tight... but the reality is the outcome of six years of not sending the right messages to our electricity sector, to make sure we have the generation we need,” Brown said. 

“I think people are waking up this morning and they are aware that it is tight, and I’m very grateful that New Zealanders are heeding the message this morning.” 

He added: “It’s what happens when you say by 2030 we’re going to be 100 per cent renewable, which is completely impossible to meet. 

“It’s what happens when you ban oil and gas exploration, which is what the last government did.” 

Brown blamed the energy warning on the previous Labour-led Government policies, which focused on moving to more renewable sources of electricity. 

“The industry said, this is having a chilling impact on investment.” 

Brown described the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme as a “white elephant costing billions of dollars” and dumped it in December. 

Referring to the Paris Agreement, to keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C by reducing emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050, Brown said: “Labour New Zealand is all about the bumper sticker and the slogan, which all sounds lovely and gives you warm fuzzies when you’re in Paris, but it doesn’t keep the lights on in New Zealand.” 

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