Threat of power cuts remains

A risk of power cuts appears to have passed for now after electricity generators managed to keep up with near-record demand during yesterday’s morning peak.

However, network operator Transpower forecasts there may be another eight days over the next fortnight and a further five days in September when supplies could again be tight, with the highest risks currently centred on August 22.

Earlier in the week, Transpower twice called on power companies to offer more generation into the market yesterday morning.

That was after voicing concerns that there would only be a small buffer of reserve generation between 7.30am and 9am to cope with any unexpected events.

Transpower had expected power demand might hit an all-time high as a cold snap moved over the country’s major population centres.

But demand peaked at 6890 megawatts, which, while up 600MW on the previous Friday morning’s peak, was below the previous record of 6920MW.

Transpower chief executive Alison Andrew said supply and demand had been looking very tight for Friday earlier in the week.

But in the end the power system got through the morning with more than a 200MW buffer, she said.

‘‘Industry responded well to our calls for extra generation and ... we’ve come through this morning very well.’’

Transpower said some industrial users and network companies reduced their demand without being specifically asked to do so.

Andrew said peak demand in the morning and evening had risen by about 4% this year.

‘‘We are seeing demand growth. We’re not sure whether that’s people working from home offices or what’s happening, but we need to be prepared for this.’’