Electricity
Connecting remote residents with renewable energy
84 percent of New Zealand's electricity comes from renewable sources, but for those living in remote places, even getting on the grid can be a challenge. Electrical engineer Soheil Mohseni is using AI… Audio
Householders brace for power price rises
60 per cent of households will face significant energy price rises next month. The government is phasing out low-use, fixed-electricity pricing plans across the country following a 2019 independent… Audio
Growing energy sector faces major workforce shortage
The electricity supply industry says it's on track for unprecedented growth in the coming years but will be hamstrung by a massive deficit in skilled tradespeople. The industry is warning of a looming… Audio
Power demand to soar - how will the system stay secure?
How are we going to power the country, as demand for electricity is set to sky-rocket with the transition to a low-carbon economy? New Zealand has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050… Audio
Why some people need less sleep than others
Ever wondered how some people are able to function optimally on just a few hours' sleep, while others still find themselves feeling a lot less than ideal after a solid eight hour shift? Those lucky… Audio
Transpower shortcomings responsible for last month's power outages: Electricity Authority
Shortcomings in Transpower's tools and processes were responsible for last month's power outages, according to the first phase of a review by the Electricity Authority. 34,000 households lost power on… Audio
Solar suitable: the economies of installing home solar power
Does installing solar power at home eventually pay for itself? According to Consumer New Zealand, it all depends whether you are "solar-suitable". Factors include: how much sun your house gets, the… Audio
Power profits up for Big Five
The big five power companies have posted positive results for the year, while smaller outfits are turning customers away and struggling to survive. Earlier this week a 15-strong group of New Zealand's… Audio
Electricity Authority to investigate blackouts
The Electricity Authority has ordered a review of the power cuts that affected 34,000 people earlier this week.
Woods denies scapegoating Genesis over power outages
The Energy Minister's after a please explain after the lights went out for thousands of customers on Monday night, as there was not enough power to go around.
Households were plunged into darkness… Video, Audio
Power outages: Genesis CEO says Energy Minister scapegoating, but Woods has questions
Energy Minister Megan Woods has blamed Monday's power cuts on commercial decisions made by electricity companies.
Thousands of New Zealanders were left in the dark on one of the coldest nights of the… Video, Audio
'No system is perfect' - Transpower explains power outages
Transpower has apologised over the electricity outages. The company's general manager of grid development John Clarke told Checkpoint no system is perfect, but he is assuring customers electricity… Video, Audio
Energy supply shortage a 'commercial decision' - Minister
The Energy Minister is calling out the power companies, saying last night's rolling blackouts on one of the coldest nights of the year were entirely preventable.
Thousands of households were plunged… Audio
Poorest customers pay highest power prices: Consumer NZ
People in areas with the lowest average incomes are paying the highest electricity prices in the country, according to the latest released data from MBIE, analysed by Consumer New Zealand. The MBIE… Audio
Soaring energy prices hit businesses
Low hydro lake levels and soaring wholesale electricity prices are causing some businesses to temporarily shut down operations, and more will follow, according to the Major Electricity Users' Group… Audio
Otago electricity line charges may rise 60 percent in five year
Electricity line charges in some parts of Otago are set to climb over 60 percent in the next five years.
That's after the Commerce Commission gave Aurora Energy the go ahead to spend $563 million to… Audio
Brace for higher power bills amid volatile wholesale market
Consumers are being warned their electricity bills will start to rise in reaction to a surge in the wholesale market. Audio
The Suburban Solar Conundrum
The combination of solar panels, electricity storage batteries, smart household gadgets, and a boring looking black box is set to change forever how our electricity system works.
But do we need… Audio
Why aren't we encouraging more rain water harvesting?
With water restrictions being placed on Auckland and Northland due to drought, should urban dwellers be storing rainwater for irrigation and non-potable use when the weather gets dry? Audio
Where does electricity come from?
Hold onto your hats - Nanogirl discovers where some of our electricity comes from and it's blowing a gale. Video, Audio
