Energy issue abates

The southern hydro lakes situation is improving by the day, with persistent rain and snowfall over the past fortnight providing a welcome boost to lake and snow levels. 

So says Meridian Energy, adding its six wind farms are regularly generating at or near maximum capacity during the last seven days to produce a total of 57GWh.

“We’ve been saying all along that it’s a battle of inches – and after a long, dry winter it’s good to see lake levels going in the right direction,” says Meridian wholesale general manager Chris Ewers.

“The level of Lake Pūkaki has increased by over a metre since its lowest point just under two weeks ago, with a further 300-400mm of rainfall forecast over the next couple of weeks, and Lakes Manapōuri and Te Anau are now into their high ranges. That’ll mean strong generation out of Manapōuri Power Station for the next few weeks.”

In addition to lake levels, seasonal snow storage in the Waitaki catchment has increased significantly, which will help with spring and summer in-flows, says Meridian. Throughout June and July, storage was as low as 50% of average but substantial snowfall over the last month means it is now sitting at 83% of average, the power company says after earlier predicting power companies wouldn’t need to use reserved hyrdro storage.

“We always knew the rains would come eventually, and spring usually sees a change in weather patterns,” says Ewers.

“There’s still some way to go but with more rain expected this week it’s looking more encouraging day-by-day.”

Wholesale prices reached a more than $800 per MWh daily average early in August, but rain has helped drive wholesale rates down, according to various reports, including from the Electricity Authority.