5:16 pm today

Unlikely generators will have to dip into the water supply reserves - Meridian

5:16 pm today
Aoraki/Mt Cook across Lake Pukaki

Lake Pukaki Photo: Susan Rebergen

Meridian believes it's increasingly unlikely generators will have to dip into the water supply reserves in the hydro lakes.

Power supplies and prices are under threat because of low lake levels.

But Transpower is making it easier for generators to access reserves in some lakes from next month.

On Thursday, it announced generators can take more water from lakes Pūkaki, Tekapo (Takapō) and Hāwea during September and October if needed, to help stave off an electricity shortage.

Meridian spokesperson Chris Ewers said there has been some welcome rain over the past week and more is forecast.

He said Meridian also has six wind farms that regularly provide 25 percent of power it needs and higher winds are also forecast.

Ewers added the company is reasonably confident of getting through spring without needing use the reserves.

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