23 Jun 2022

Transpower working to ensure it can cope with peak demand

From Checkpoint, 5:13 pm on 23 June 2022

The electricity grid operator is working to make sure there's enough power for tonight's peak demand after calling a grid emergency earlier today and threatening to disconnect customers if it couldn't boost supply.

Transpower issued an alert shortly before 8am, and a number of hot water systems were switched off to ease demand during the morning peak, with more generation coming online within an hour.

But Contact Energy's standby generation failed, Genesis had reduced output and there was also a drop off in the forecast wind generation.

Transpower chief executive, Alison Andrew, talks to Lisa Owen.