Energy savings on the rise despite cold snap

National power savings rose to 4.6 percent for the last week, the highest since a voluntary savings campaign began in June despite demand hitting its peak this winter.

Total savings in the campaign from combined efforts by residents and industry were over 6 percent, equal to the output of a large power station, said Winter Power Group convenor Patrick Strange.

"The powersavers campaign has definitely helped the outlook, but more rain would still be very welcome," Dr Strange said.

Storage at the lakes feeding the hydro stations improved to 61 percent from 50 percent a month ago, but South Island lake levels were at only 53 percent of average and remained a concern.

Recent cold weather boosted electricity usage to a winter high of 125 gigawatt hours yesterday.

Over the last week, electricity savings by businesses and households totalled over $6 million, Dr Strange said.

For the week ended today, the lower South Island cut use by 6.6 percent, the lower North Island region saved 6.3 percent, the upper South Island saved 6.1 percent, the central North Island saved 3.3 percent, and the upper North Island region saved 1.8 percent.

The savings are compared with the same period a year ago, and are adjusted for differences in factors including temperature and demand growth.